I believe in public libraries! There, I said it. Yes, I'm a bit biased. You see, I'm a librarian -- a public library librarian.
I didn't grow up wanting to be a librarian. As a matter of fact, my greatest desire was a college education and I was the first in my family to graduate from college.
As many librarians will tell you, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had lots of interests, but no real passions. I knew that I wanted to be helpful, make a difference and do something meaningful. I ended up with a degree in Reading and English with, of course, a teaching certificate. I fell into libraries, but it was the perfect fit--as was the public library. Why? The freedoms!
I have always believed in freedoms. Freedom to read. Freedom to learn. Freedom to listen. Freedom of expression. Freedom to be. (Which, considering the nature and location of my upbringing, is an absolute miracle.)
These freedoms exist not only for those that dare to enter and frequent the public library, but also for the staff!
Not to step on my proverbial soapbox, but public libraries really are the one place in the community that gives access to unbiased, uncensored, and available information regardless of a person's residency, educational background, age, gender, race, affiliation, or socioeconomic status. Today's libraries are a place of refuge for those who have nothing and just need a little something...and, yes they are still the "poor man's" university.
I am proud to be a public library librarian for all of those reasons and then some! It isn't the best paying job and the benefits are NOT defined in dollars. And, yes, it comes with a multitude of daily challenges--challenges that one might not expect... If you can imagine it, public libraries have experienced it!
The librarians (and paraprofessionals) of today's libraries are special! They are super smart, compassionate, willing to go that extra mile and have a real desire to serve their communities. It really is hard to precisely define what public libraries and public librarians DO because they do whatever is necessary to meet the needs of their ever changing communities. What someone needs this week may not be what they need next week...
Public librarians have the freedom to be creative, learn continuously, and help each other succeed on a daily basis. So...that is why public libraries AND public librarians!
