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Image from Pixabay |
Many thanks to Jenna Gilles-Turner, who wrote this guest blog post.
I was one of the lucky few (Yes. Be jealous.) to attend the
Youth Services Development Institute in Green Lake, WI in September. It was one of the most
inspiring, motivating, and moving experiences I have been part of. Three days of
intense inward-looking activities combined with many moments to connect,
inspire others, share, and help one another.
Not having a degree in the library field, I have always
battled with what to call myself. While I often FEEL like a librarian, am I
really one? Do I make others with a degree feel belittled when calling myself a
librarian? How do i introduce myself? What if I never have time or money to
finish my degree? Am I alone in this? Who can I talk to? Am I good enough? Am I
smart enough? Dog gone it... Do people LIKE ME?!?
Yes. A thousand times yes. I am a librarian. I AM a
librarian.
WE ARE LIBRARIANS!
Our battle cry in hand, we learned together and even wept
together. We listened to experienced librarians and to one another. There were
presentations, round tables, an evening fire, talks, questions, and gathering
times. The presenters did an amazing job keeping us active, interested, and
inspired. They made sure to accommodate various learning styles and made sure
it wasn't all PowerPoints.
All fears were not quelled, but I sure came out feeling
better about myself, about my professional outcomes, and what I was doing in
Fall Creek. I felt validated. I felt more certain. I felt AWESOME! I feel
awesome!
It wasn't just about sharing program ideas. Or talking one's
library up (...or down in some people's cases...). Or listing off social media
advice. Or learning ways to better communicate with patrons, co-workers,
bosses, community members, and boards. Or exchanging emails.
It was about us doing our best for us. Because when we do
what we love and what motivates us, the library benefits. The community
benefits. Early learners benefit. Teens. Adults. Our families. We all benefit.
Making connections, helping others, ALLOWING OTHERS TO HELP US....It's not just
about connecting books to kids. It's not just about teaching an adult how to
use a computer. It's not just about weeding and circulation. It's about the
community and how we can help improve it and how they can help us. Each
seemingly little action is part of the whole movie of life. And I KNEW this.
And other people do, too! And through our struggles we don't give up! We adapt,
evolve, help one another, reach out. We learn when it *is* okay to give up or take
a break. Get rid of sacred cows; ask for help; know when enough is enough;
balancing work, life, family, personal goals, and friendships; working with
community members and organizations to fill in gaps when so many people are in
need or need a little help...which are always some things I've worked on.
Hearing other's experiences sure helped!
My experiences are still sinking in. It is still often
difficult to verbally communicate exactly how I felt and what happened during
those few days. What felt like a lifetime also felt like minutes. I can't thank
the other participants or the presenters enough. Due to a change of employment,
it is taking even longer for information and emotions to sink in... How can I
apply what I learned, felt, saw, and shared into my new location? What are my
greatest assets now? What outcomes do I envision for myself at Chippewa Falls Public Library? For CFPL?
How do I fit? Where do I fit in? Where do I go from here? What do I flush out?
What do I work on first?
...but I have not asked myself, "Am I a real
Librarian?" Because I am. Darn right I am.
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If you get a chance to apply for the next institute in 2017: do it.
Don't doubt. Don't overthink. Do it.
You won't be disappointed.
(Take some kleenex.)
Labels: connections, continuing education, inspiration, networking