Why am I a librarian?
Of late, lots of librarian bloggers have been answering the question “Why am I a librarian?”. What is interesting to me about that question is how “present” your response must be. I read the question not as “why did you become a librarian” but as “why are you still a librarian?”.
I thought my response to this question might be worth posting here. Mostly because it helped me focus on my true goals and not on the frustrations that often encompass my day. And, on a lonely Saturday in the Library, it reminded me why I am sitting here in the first place.
So, “Why am I a librarian?”.
I am a librarian because I enjoy helping people. But I also like earning my living doing something that helps further knowledge, that supports education, openness and equality, and that isn’t solely about making rich people and corporations richer. I am a librarian in an academic library because I believe that access to higher education can change a person’s life for the better and because I enjoy being part of a collegial and inquisitive environment. I am a library manager because I want to inspire at least one person as I have been inspired and I want to create opportunities for growth and learning for my staff as opportunities have been created for me. I am also a library manager because a woman can and should excel in leadership positions traditionally dominated by men.
Any other librarians interested in answering? I’d love to hear your responses. Over at Tame the Web they have have created a survey asking folks why they are librarians. I’d also be interested in hearing from anyone else about why they are still professors or instructional technologists or students or (insert your occupation here).
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February 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Jami
I remember the days I used to go into the Johnson Center and stack books with you. It is one of my fondest memories of college, hanging out amongst books with one of my favorite people in the world.
I think it is most excellent that you purused this career as I remember it wasn’t yr initial path back in those days, but it’s fantastic that you were lead on this road, and I know just how awesome you are at doing this. I am so stoked to hear that you have found this place where you can literally shape the lives of others. Libraries are so important to students and to the public and I wish our society spent more time with them and dedicated more of our resources to preserving them and growing them. I love my library but I get frustrated sometimes because they aren’t able to encompass all the topics I am interested in to my liking. But none the less I am glad to live in a place that has a great library system.
Otherwise I hope you are well. I am still on the path to crawling out of the hole I am in and actually being social like I was years ago. Hopefully we can hook up soon and chat. it has been far too long my friend.