Why a Librarian?

I remember clearly when the world opened up to me. 

I was in the first grade at Valley View Elementary School.  

The teacher placed a huge book in the front of the room and opened it to the first page.

     Dick.

     Look, look.

     Oh, oh, oh.

     Look, look.

     Oh, look.

My interest perked up when I saw a picture of a girl on roller skates on page 6.

     Jane.

     See, see.

     See, Jane.

I literally felt my brain unfold and expand as it all fell into place – I could read!  It was such an amazing sensation that I have never forgotten it.

I felt just like Doozy.  Thanks, Patrick McDonnell, for capturing the feeling so perfectly.

I earned the Books badge when I was a Junior Girl Scout and proudly wore it on my sash. 

When I was a Senior Girl Scout during the summer of 1969, I did a service project at the local library: elementary school children enrolled in the Summer Reading Program would come in and tell me what they had read during the week.  I would listen intently, ask a few questions, fill out their enrollment card and hand them a prize.  It was great fun!  When I wasn’t busy with the kids, I would help shelve books.

After graduating from Humboldt State University, I travelled around the country, held a few jobs, and then, in February 1981, I was hired as the first Children’s Librarian for the Aldrich Public Library in Barre, VT. It was a blast – the best job I’ve ever had.

I left that position to work for the Vermont Girl Scout Council, always thinking that I would be a librarian again – someday.  The events of January 8, 2011 reminded me that life is short.  If not now, when?

 So 28 years later, I enrolled at the University of Arizona as a master’s student in the School of Information Resources and Library Science.  I began my journey during the summer of 2011 with SIRLS 504, an introductory course.  As I balance my current position at Habitat for Humanity Tucson, with my schoolwork and life at home with Philip, 5 dogs, 2 cats and numerous other creatures, I find that I am learning something new every day. 

I see this blog as a way to record my experiences. I feel just like that 1^st grader whose brain unfolded and expanded – and I’d like to help others feel that same way.