While I have left my library career behind, I can honestly say my time in the field made me a better person and writer. There are many things about libraries people don’t understand, and I can attest to this fact because of how many times people have said, “I didn’t know that” when I have explained things about my library career. It is a field many people only think they understand, but behind the scenes, there are many elements to it people don’t consider. This is why I say it made me a better person even if I had to walk away from the career field because of burnout.
The first thing library work taught me was to listen to others. We can hear what someone is saying without processing the message, but in the library world, I had to listen to people when they asked me questions so I could provide the information they needed. However, it often went further than just listening to someone’s questions. A fellow librarian once said, “Librarians are the world’s bartenders.” More truthful words have never been spoken. I have been told things by people I never expected anyone to tell a stranger. I’ve had some friends tell me I have that kind of face. Whatever it is, sometimes even total strangers just need to talk, and I just listened. Library work turned me into an active listener, and that has benefited me both professionally and personally since then.
Library work also taught me how to deal with other people whether it was customer service, cooperation, or communication. I’m an introvert by nature, but it is difficult to function in this world without knowing how to interact with people. While I could stay at home alone for days on end, my former career helped me learn how to deal with the good and the bad and the highs and the lows of people. I learned everyone had good days AND bad days, and we need to extend mercy and grace to people when they have a bad day especially if we expect the same in return on our own bad days.
When people have questions, libraries are supposed to have answers. I learned some great research skills working in libraries. It made college easier, and even now, I use my research skills personally and professionally to obtain information. My writing is often improved by my ability to find valuable information, and I can discern accurate information from misinformation and disinformation.
Libraries are full of free resources and materials, but many people don’t really understand what all is available. I’ve written on this before because I’m still a library supporter. As I make the transition into a writing career, it’s important to have free resources available while I’m trying to watch my budget.
There have been some negative elements to working in the libraries as well, but I remind myself they can all be learning experiences. I’ve learned:
- to identify both subtle and overt forms of sexual harassment.
- some people are just mean, arrogant, and nasty while others are kind, funny, and caring, and there is nothing I can do to change someone’s character.
- some people will never be pleased no matter what you do while others will appreciate even the slightest effort.
- some parents have no clue how to raise polite children while others raise the sweetest kids on the planet.
- local politicians can either show their claws or their kindness when dealing with library budgets.
- members of library boards are either there to help the library or themselves, but they won’t always be there for both.
- to respect the fact that many people have a mental illness, and they need to be treated with kindness and compassion.
- some people are meant to be managers, and some people are not.
- library work can be both thankless and rewarding.
- I can experience burnout and need to leave the field while still loving what libraries have to offer.
- individuals either have a personality to deal with people or they do not, but you often cannot train the skill.
I could go on for hours about the pros and cons of a library career, but ultimately, I choose to look back on my career as a wonderful learning experience which had bumps in the road like any other field. I wouldn’t trade the skills I learned or the friendships I made for anything else. They have made me who and what I am.
If you are entering a new career field, it’s helpful to look back on previous career experiences to consider what you can carry forward. Whether it is positive or negative, it is still information you can use going into a new area of interest. I chose a library career, and now I’ve chosen a writing career. In ten years, I may look back and ask what I’ve learned from writing that will apply to another field. Who knows? The important thing is to carry forward what you can to good purpose in the future.
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Inspirational Verses for the Day:
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9, CSB)
All Things Subject to Change 