It might seem strange to some people that after having a "career" in publishing for almost ten years I decided to jump ship. I say career in quotations because it wasn't really going anywhere, to be honest.
I knew that working in a library was my first love, but I had a different set of priorities back in the day.
My first library job was at my undergraduate university. I was still working in retail during my first year at school. It didn't help my grades, as the job wasn't exactly sympathetic to studying and exams. I saw in the summer that the library was hiring. I applied, not sure whether I would hear back or not. A few weeks later, I did! I had my interview, and was hired that day. My supervisor was amazing. She taught me everything I needed to know. I was a student worker in Access Services, which included the circulation desk, inter-library loan, and the reserve room. The summers were quiet, but I would shelve books and shelf read. I would listen to music and do my thing. Occasionally I would work the desk and check out materials. I loved it. Best of all, the library understood exam weeks, papers, and everything else associated with school. I made friends, got to know professors who came in-and started to listen to all library-related talk. I loved the library so much that I worked there four years as an undergraduate (it took me five years to graduate-oops). My final year at school I left the circulation desk for the reserve room. I just needed a change and something a bit quieter while I really hit the books to graduate. But in all that time, I considered the library my second home and my second family. I still talk to some of the people there today!
It was a sad day when I graduated and I couldn't work there anymore. I was intent on getting my Masters in English, then going on to a PhD so I could be a professor. I remember talking to a friend in the English program. She wanted a Masters as well, but was going for Library Science. It mystified me, as she had never worked in a library before-nor had she ever talked about any interest in libraries. She went her way, and I went mine (she is now a very well known librarian in my state. And even though we lost touch after grad school, I wonder if our paths will cross now that I'm in the same field as her again).
I was disappointed in the Masters program I was enrolled in. While I was supposed to be working on my thesis, I was hired back at the academic library-this time not as a student worker, but as a university assistant. I loved working in the technical processing department, doing copy cataloging and checking for book errors in the system. I was six credits shy of my degree when my mother unexpectedly passed away. I lost the will to return to school. Now needing money, I focused on getting a job instead. I found one as a production editor for a very small independent publishing company. I stayed for 9 months. It just wasn't for me. I had ideas and plans, and no one at the company supported me. After that job, I would move on to two other positions in the publishing world, for eight years. I was unhappy, underpaid, and overworked. I needed a change, and left the publishing world behind, never to look back. I decided to focus my time and energy on going back into the library field.
I was lucky to get two part-time jobs right away, both at public libraries. I gained experience in Tech Services, cataloging, working the circulation desk, and children's services. I worked as a clerk, (and still work there one or two days a week now), and then got hired as a children's assistant at yet another library. At this point, it only seemed natural to get my degree in Library Science. I knew I would never truly do what I wanted to do without that education. The best thing about working in the library, though? I LOVE it. It's fun! I was able to conduct story times and read to children, plan a superhero program, do crafts with the children, and other things. I absolutely love talking to patrons about books. I go home with a smile on my face. It's a rewarding job, and I like helping people. What could be better than that?
I'm now working as an assistant in a high school media center, and while it isn't what I plan to do permanently, I'm gaining experience. I am fortunate that it is a full-time job in a nice school district. However, I do miss the regular patron interaction and planning programs as a children's assistant. But, I am still happy at the end of the day. My tears have stopped, and I can finally be a person who says, "Yes. I love my job."
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