I want to include this note from a reader who emailed me! Henry is a subscriber to the Enthusiast and currently library classes at City College San Francisco right now. He writes: “My only note is that it takes an entire team to run a library, not just the librarian. Many people don’t realize that oftentimes there is only one “official librarian” at the branch at a time, at least here at SFPL (library of the year winner!) The title of Librarian requires an MLS which can be expensive in both time and money, and inaccessible to many.” YES! This is something I wholeheartedly agree with, Henry. I appreciate this being pointed out. When time allows, I would like to tweak some of the language in the main post to speak to this. Thank YOU!
Yep, it definitely takes a village to run a library. I am one of three librarians at my branch. We do a lot of programming that wouldn’t be possible if not for our para-professionals and our part timers (we call them Pages in my system) who all bring special talents to their jobs.
I sent this to two amazing people who used to run Libraries and they LOVED it so much. Thanks for these really cool acknowlegements of people. I love forwarding them, like love balms. xo Kelly
PS, I just got off a call with an incredible coach trainer Ben Dooley, who made a beautiful distinction about our needs. The base is PANIC to survive the moment, then level one - driven by the base human need to SURVIVE another day. This is where we simply defend/protect/control everything to be "happy" . Yet something within us also calls forth a part of us humans who know we are here for something more - to explore, to learn, to connect, to engage, to love, to get EVERYTHING OUT OF LIFE. But the challenge is that when in Survival mode, it's really almost impossible to imagine getting more out of life, we can't even imagine it, we are so alone or colluding in our "surviving" world. In order to get to the good stuff, the positive action, we need community, a place where we are seen, supported, and matter, despite or because? of all the stuff as it helps point us to that next level - to realize we need community and connection. So thank you for contributing the needed secret sauce to help people see the part of themselves that can see beyond the probable daily grind, to the possibility of something else,..where love is.
It may lighten hearts to know that our kiddos still think that librarians are pretty cool beings. My 8 year old had the much-coveted role of "Librarian of the Day" at his school last week and it was THE highlight of his school career so far! His classmates could not wait to hear all about his day. All the kids at school love their weekly visit to the library and I cannot tell you how much they eagerly count down the days until the book fair begins. The magic still exists (thank goodness), and it is very much because of those "dangerous rebels" called Libriarians! Bless them!
I'm always so inspired and encouraged by your words and endeavors! Thanks for leading a path to a better world. One of the many highlights when I was a media assistant in an elementary school (librarian's assistant/managing the circulation desk) was the look on the kid's faces when the book they wanted to borrow was finally available to them! I love what you put out in the world and appreciate you; you make us all feel appreciated, both the young and us young at heart ❤️
I love this!! I went to the library yesterday looking for a book to help my daughter through a tough time. Also PS you're really funny and a great writer. You could be a writer on Ted Lasso, although I think you're already fulfilling a hiring calling.
I really really appreciate these kind words! Thank you. It is extremely rewarding to write and have the words find people like you! (P.S. I also love Ted Lasso. Ha) Thank you!
You found us out, Brad. Thank you for your perception and humor. I shared your post with several librarian groups I am part of, including the Troublesome Catalogers and Magical Metadata Fairies group on FB. :-)
SHEILA! I am flipping out over these group names. This is all so perfect. I’m so glad you are you. I’m so glad these scrappy little troublemaking groups exist. Keep going, dangerous one.
Love this! I am a librarian by degree (MLIS) and certainly in spirit. I consult with librarians who are the ones doing the hard work. I support them and admire them, and I could NEVER be a public librarian myself. I see the crap they put up with everyday, the lack of financial support, dealing with the public and all that makes the "the public" so interesting and sometimes scary and sometimes gross. They are indeed amazing people. I wish more people understand what a treasure librarians really are.
Aside from my drivers license and debit card, my library card is the most valuable item in my wallet and the thought of our government limiting that upsets me.
> The other day, I got a call at (her current school) from a former (her old school) student. He was looking for the title of a survival themed book that he liked and wanted to share with his kids. He gave me all the information he could recall about the book. While I couldn't find the book, I found a source that listed survival books and from that list, he found the one he was looking for. The book has been out of print for years, which is why I couldn't find it in my usual sources.
Thank you for writing this!! Libraries have been a safe space for me, especially as a kid and I have to give props to librarians for keeping the library inclusive and open to everyone. So many hours reading mangas in the YA section… I hope I didn’t stink it up ha ;)
I want to include this note from a reader who emailed me! Henry is a subscriber to the Enthusiast and currently library classes at City College San Francisco right now. He writes: “My only note is that it takes an entire team to run a library, not just the librarian. Many people don’t realize that oftentimes there is only one “official librarian” at the branch at a time, at least here at SFPL (library of the year winner!) The title of Librarian requires an MLS which can be expensive in both time and money, and inaccessible to many.” YES! This is something I wholeheartedly agree with, Henry. I appreciate this being pointed out. When time allows, I would like to tweak some of the language in the main post to speak to this. Thank YOU!
Yep, it definitely takes a village to run a library. I am one of three librarians at my branch. We do a lot of programming that wouldn’t be possible if not for our para-professionals and our part timers (we call them Pages in my system) who all bring special talents to their jobs.
I sent this to two amazing people who used to run Libraries and they LOVED it so much. Thanks for these really cool acknowlegements of people. I love forwarding them, like love balms. xo Kelly
PS, I just got off a call with an incredible coach trainer Ben Dooley, who made a beautiful distinction about our needs. The base is PANIC to survive the moment, then level one - driven by the base human need to SURVIVE another day. This is where we simply defend/protect/control everything to be "happy" . Yet something within us also calls forth a part of us humans who know we are here for something more - to explore, to learn, to connect, to engage, to love, to get EVERYTHING OUT OF LIFE. But the challenge is that when in Survival mode, it's really almost impossible to imagine getting more out of life, we can't even imagine it, we are so alone or colluding in our "surviving" world. In order to get to the good stuff, the positive action, we need community, a place where we are seen, supported, and matter, despite or because? of all the stuff as it helps point us to that next level - to realize we need community and connection. So thank you for contributing the needed secret sauce to help people see the part of themselves that can see beyond the probable daily grind, to the possibility of something else,..where love is.
Thank you for writing this.
It may lighten hearts to know that our kiddos still think that librarians are pretty cool beings. My 8 year old had the much-coveted role of "Librarian of the Day" at his school last week and it was THE highlight of his school career so far! His classmates could not wait to hear all about his day. All the kids at school love their weekly visit to the library and I cannot tell you how much they eagerly count down the days until the book fair begins. The magic still exists (thank goodness), and it is very much because of those "dangerous rebels" called Libriarians! Bless them!
The magic does, indeed, still exist. So grateful for you and these kind words.
You speak great truths, Brad.
I'm always so inspired and encouraged by your words and endeavors! Thanks for leading a path to a better world. One of the many highlights when I was a media assistant in an elementary school (librarian's assistant/managing the circulation desk) was the look on the kid's faces when the book they wanted to borrow was finally available to them! I love what you put out in the world and appreciate you; you make us all feel appreciated, both the young and us young at heart ❤️
I love this!! I went to the library yesterday looking for a book to help my daughter through a tough time. Also PS you're really funny and a great writer. You could be a writer on Ted Lasso, although I think you're already fulfilling a hiring calling.
I really really appreciate these kind words! Thank you. It is extremely rewarding to write and have the words find people like you! (P.S. I also love Ted Lasso. Ha) Thank you!
0% surprised that you're a Ted Lasso fan, but this makes me so happy all the same!! You're a real-life Ted Lasso ✨
So grateful for all my dangerous friends. I’ve got a bunch of em.
Yes yes yes! The best kind of dangerous there can be!
Brad, I am an elementary school librarian who just sent this to our district librarian team. We needed your words today. Thank you.
I’m so grateful for you, your work, your heart, and the fact that this found you!
You found us out, Brad. Thank you for your perception and humor. I shared your post with several librarian groups I am part of, including the Troublesome Catalogers and Magical Metadata Fairies group on FB. :-)
SHEILA! I am flipping out over these group names. This is all so perfect. I’m so glad you are you. I’m so glad these scrappy little troublemaking groups exist. Keep going, dangerous one.
Always getting us to look at things which we might not normally think about. How very true! Thank you!
I appreciate the way you see things too Marc Joblin!
This amazing! Truly an under appreciated group of people
Love this! I am a librarian by degree (MLIS) and certainly in spirit. I consult with librarians who are the ones doing the hard work. I support them and admire them, and I could NEVER be a public librarian myself. I see the crap they put up with everyday, the lack of financial support, dealing with the public and all that makes the "the public" so interesting and sometimes scary and sometimes gross. They are indeed amazing people. I wish more people understand what a treasure librarians really are.
Aside from my drivers license and debit card, my library card is the most valuable item in my wallet and the thought of our government limiting that upsets me.
I sent this to my mom (a librarian) and got this:
> The other day, I got a call at (her current school) from a former (her old school) student. He was looking for the title of a survival themed book that he liked and wanted to share with his kids. He gave me all the information he could recall about the book. While I couldn't find the book, I found a source that listed survival books and from that list, he found the one he was looking for. The book has been out of print for years, which is why I couldn't find it in my usual sources.
Thank you for writing this!! Libraries have been a safe space for me, especially as a kid and I have to give props to librarians for keeping the library inclusive and open to everyone. So many hours reading mangas in the YA section… I hope I didn’t stink it up ha ;)
This is great as a satirical piece, but would make an even better kids book IMHO.
I’m a librarian and I approve this message.