A few days ago, I started writing this post just outside the school library before my work day started, surrounded by hundreds of Chromebooks and awaiting a stampede of freshmen. Mmm…smells like state testing. BRB, retching. I finally finished this at home at the end of National School Librarian Day, after another day of state testing. That’s right, once again, I spent my profession’s appreciation day not really being a school librarian.
Our state’s standardized achievement tests involve the two worst parts of my job as a high school librarian: managing student computers and facilitating high-stakes testing. State testing generally happens the first week of April at my school, which means it coincides perfectly with National School Librarian Day. I suppose that on this side of paradise, there has to be some part of my job I dislike, and this is it. But that aside, on the whole, I do love being a school librarian.
Last year around this time, I wrote a post to explain my job because I was feeling sad and a little salty about people’s misconceptions surrounding it. I stand by everything in that post. In fact, most of what I’m highlighting in this post only happens when I’m allowed to be the librarian and only the librarian, not when I’m expected to be a Jill-of-all-trades who wears too many hats.
Anywho, I’m officially back from maternity leave. Not-so-fun fact: I received 1877 emails during my maternity leave, only about half of which were mailing lists. (I only replied to 38 emails—still an unhealthy number, but it could be worse.) I strategically chose to go back to work the week before spring break so I could ease back into the working mom life and then have the break to recover and question my life choices.
Except, aside from some hiccups related to pumping at work (“hiccups” is overly generous, but I won’t get into it here), returning to work reenergized me. As the week progressed, I rediscovered how much I love my vocation.
And here I am, at the end of what’s typically my least favorite week of the school year, and I’m still not questioning my life choices at all. Did I fall in love with state testing? No. Did I have a change of heart about the Chromebooks? Absolutely not. But I’m not going to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
I love the people.
This job is all about the people, and fortunately, they are the best people. The people are the best part of being a high school librarian. Even as a committed introvert, I look forward to seeing them most of the time.
First, let’s talk about my colleagues. Public education attracts a certain type of person: empathetic, hardworking, intellectual, and collaborative. Their hearts are in the right place and they see beyond students’ behaviors and grades to their potential. They go the extra mile every day. Actually, that idiom doesn’t remotely do them justice; they go the extra 26.2 miles every day because each school day truly is a marathon and then some. Education is really this massive, unending group project, so having great group members is key to keeping one’s sanity intact. And while I hated projects in school, I’m happy to declare that for once, finally, I wholeheartedly love my group. On top of all that, they’re just plain interesting humans.
And the most important people, the whole point of what we do day in and day out: the students! I adore my high school students. They keep me young: I’m over here using Gen Z (/Alpha?) slang I have no business even knowing. They keep me humble. For example, a sophomore recently declared, “If the average life expectancy is 70, that means 35 is middle age.” Excuse me, sir. RUDE. They (usually) give me hope for the future of our world. They’ll make good field research for writing YA, if I ever get around to it. And I hope all these years of hanging out with teenagers will give me an edge with my own children when they hit adolescence.
I’m a lifelong learner.
As a Ravenclaw (who wishes she was a Hufflepuff, but never mind that), I crave learning. Fortunately for me, a career in education demands and inspires one’s own continuous education.
There’s always something new to learn: more teaching strategies, the latest technology, updated media literacy techniques in a constantly evolving digital world, etc. And there are always future projects, lessons, and programs to dream and scheme.
I’m also continuously learning about myself. In particular, the courses I took to attain my gifted endorsement were therapeutic. Teaching regularly pushes me out of my comfort zone and stretches my thinking and abilities.
Next to the people, the mental stimulation was what I missed most about my job during maternity leave.
The work plays to my strengths.
School librarianship generally fits my personality and skillset like a bespoke bookjacket. (Despite this, I feel Imposter Syndrome every single day.)
I get to be creative, especially when planning new book displays, programming, and learning opportunities.
My relentless curiosity and love of puzzles makes research genuinely fun for me, so I don’t have to fake enthusiasm when I teach research skills (except for correct citation formatting, ugh, bo-ring).
Problem solving? All day, every day.
My sense of empathy sometimes overwhelms me in this broken world to the point that it affects my mental health. But as a school librarian, it allows me to be, as a sweet friend and colleague told me today, a “safe haven in the community for all manner of kid.”
All this and I get to lean into my preexisting glasses-and-cardigan aesthetic? Okay fine, I won’t quit.
What I do matters.
I don’t always feel like I’m making a difference, but upon reflection, I feel cautiously optimistic about it.
I teach media literacy skills (how to evaluate online information for accuracy, among other things), skills which are becoming more crucial by the day.
I create a safe space in the library for young humans navigating the dark wilds of adolescence, even the slightly feral freshmen (this year’s batch mind end me, SOS, send help).
I connect kids with good books and sometimes get them excited about reading. That’s not fluff. Reading for pleasure is not only associated with higher verbal abilities (and thus, higher test scores across all domains), but also more empathy and less stress, among other things. (I should cite these claims, but I’m feeling kinda sketchy, so use some lateral reading to check my facts.)
It’s FUN.
As a high school librarian, I spend my days surrounded by and talking about books. (Not every day, but some days, depending on how much I actually get to be the librarian on any given day.) My job also gives me an excuse to read young adult novels—not that anyone needs an excuse!
When I curate book orders, it feels like a shopping spree. It’s exhilarating buying so many books at once, more than I would ever be able to buy in one go for my personal library. (That said, the budget is never nearly enough for a school library, but that’s public education funding for you.)
And the tea! I don’t ask for the tea, but sometimes they spill it and they know I’m not going to judge them for the mess. (And sometimes I give out halfway decent advice.) Sometimes watching the teenage drama unfold is more entertaining than reality TV.
This vocation has also provided several unique opportunities for me over the years, including but not limited to facilitating student interviews of award-winning authors, planning a dreamy new library space, and even participating in a summer teaching fellowship in another country. Just last month, I was invited to serve on our state library association’s book award selection committee! (I’m starting to sound like I’m bragging, but honest to goodness, it’s not me; it’s the role I’m in, good timing, and not being afraid to ask.)
And I’m exhausted.
I could list so many other fun aspects of my job and reasons I love my work, but this holiday is almost over and quite frankly, I’m fried from this week.
If you’re a school librarian, what do you love about your work? What would you add?
If you’re not a school librarian, you might not understand what exactly we do. To quote Severance, “The work is mysterious and important.” What questions do you have about school librarianship? (You might find some answers in my post from last year, too.)
It’s a fun job, but make no mistake, it’s challenging and I work very hard every single day, as does every school librarian I know. (Sometimes, I think I work so hard, I make it look easy.) If you know a school librarian, show them some appreciation today. Or maybe tomorrow, since today is basically over. Whoops.
paige in the library 