It DOES Make a Difference

Julie over at Hi Miss Julie just wrote another in her long line of thought-provoking posts - this time on the question of self-worth for youth librarians.  Being valued for our work is something we all need. Our youth library community embraces us in so many ways.  The youth we work with and their families do to. But how can we help each other boost our support and recognition in the larger community of other types of librarians. Julie encourages us to make sure youth librarians are nominated for awards and recognition. I couldn't agree more.

Time for a story....

Three years ago, I was honored as the Wisconsin Librarian of the Year. Two long-time colleagues in WLA/ALSC youth work had put together the nomination and tag-teamed to call me with the great news. It happened out of the blue and was the most pleasant shock of my life.

Part of the surprise? It is an award that seldom goes to youth folks.  In my decades in the association, I can recall only three other youth librarians receiving the award. Most awardees were directors and/or just about to retire or leave the profession.

I have always been a working grunt of a front-line librarian. Big believer in service to my community; service to the profession and service to my colleagues. I believe in learning and sharing every single day I go to work. Inventing and creating great service - and supporting those who do the same - is what I live for. I do it because...well, isn't that just what we all do?

So I was truly honored and humbled. I was also blown away by the appreciation I felt from colleagues who were so excited not just for me but that a youth librarian had received the award. It was like a giant celebration and recognition of all our youth services tribe.

This award changed the equation of my professional life in significant and subtle ways. While I had done a workshop or presentation here and there, suddenly, the requests started pouring in. Colleagues in other disciplines in the profession started seeking me out to serve on committees, ask my opinion, teach and work collaboratively. I ran for a statewide non-youth library position and won against a library director (doh!). I was seen as a "library leader."

What's funny is that I didn't feel any stronger, smarter or mightier after the award. I'm pretty much the same person/librarian I've always been (still just as opinionated and prone to mistakes and mis-steps). The award didn't change me.

But it did make a huge difference in the eyes of colleagues - especially librarian colleagues in other disciplines. They learned to listen to and respect a youth librarian! I think it empowered youth colleagues around the state to step up and take on leadership roles locally and state-wide.

It has motivated me to work even harder to support my youth colleagues in taking those steps to leadership. I routinely nominate or support nominations of youth colleagues for awards. I want everyone to experience the recognition they deserve for their daily hard work in our field.

So please, do as Julie says. Boost your youth colleagues and shine a light on them. You'll be glad you did. Not just for you, but for our whole youth services tribe.

Graphic courtesy of Pixabay

Librarian Rock Stars...Why Not?

David Lee King started the discussion; Andy Woodworth continued it at Agnostic, Maybe; and Nancy Dowd at The 'M' Word - Marketing Libraries adds a marketing perspective.  They are all talking about highlighting the real people behind the books and buildings - library staffers who make our magic happen.  Getting staff into the limelight and recognizing their substantial contributions to innovation, great service and great ideas is a wonderful way to connect to our communities.


In a reply to Andy's thoughtful post that was re-posted at LIS News I stated:
"I think librarians have suffered long enough in being the "behind-the-scenes" folks. Let us put faces and rock star status on all the champions of literacy, information and free access for all. I've seen it enough times in children's work - sometimes being that Pied Piper of books and info leverages more doors opening to do good library work than pretending it's just buildings and collections that make the library great. Visionary, enthusiastic, creative, idea-filled committed library workers are THE rock stars and DO make libraries great for the community. I have a secret thrill each and every time I see a librarian celebrated and/or noted as newsworthy. Librarians rock!"

I've been thinking alot about this issue since I got the call two months ago with the surprise news that I would be receiving the WI Librarian of the Year award.  I've always considered myself a working grunt. I do the very best I can for my patrons. They are the most important people in my library work formula. But because I love them up with great service and programs, by the gods and goddesses, they love me right back and it translates into massive support for new ideas, fundraising and volunteerism. I, like many of my children's and teen librarian colleagues, get to be a "rock star" with the kids and parents because they see the face behind the building and collections. We rock our little world and it makes coming to work every day a little more special.

The award came with a different "rock star" status that has surprised me and made me think alot about our place in the larger library community. I was interviewed along with a collegue from the award winning Library of the Year on state-wide public radio - and we weren't being asked, "Why did we receive this award", but substantive questions about the state of all types of libraries and libraries' future viability. And the call-ins to that show!  Oh my gosh, people loved their libraries...and very specifically, LOVED THEIR LIBRARIANS!! And I didn't hesitate to say in that forum that folks in each community bond with their library staffers and take great pride in the work they do.

So let's not hide our lights under bushel baskets.  Do celebrate each other in libraries - our expertise, talents, innovations and dedication. We are all -each day, in all of our libraries - Librarians of the Year. So let's rock on!

Image: 'Alma Nativa'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/11229881@N05/2659070334

Wowser!

The news hit today that I have been selected as this year's Wisconsin Library Association Librarian of the Year!!!  This is such an amazing  - and such an unexpected  - honor.  The confidence that the nominators and colleagues who supported the nomination showed in me really touches me deeply.  And I am humbled.

I think I am not unique in trying every day to do a good job at the library for my public and my co-workers.  As a front-line librarian and most recently manager, I have spent alot of time at the knees of my colleagues and friends in the library world soaking in their thoughts and opinions; their ideas and energy.  I have learned from the families who have come in, from the kids and from the many partners in the community who have helped me see what a library for kids can be. Each day I learn something new that can make my work better.

After a thirty-four year career, I am happy to share and support younger colleagues and those new to the profession to step out and up and shine, shine, shine. So many of my mentors did this for me as a young thing and opened the world of librarianship in a deep and fundamental way that changed me from having a job to having a career.  And I know I am not unique in giving this type of support. So many of my friends and colleagues in my age cohort are doing this and much more for proteges.

I don't think I am very different for any other librarian who works with kids.  And I hope, on behalf of all the hard working children's and teen librarians out there, I can accept this honor for them as well.  Youth folks rock!!

Image: 'Erin [118/365]'   http://www.flickr.com/photos/62359756@N00/1096159720