What It's Like Working in a Public Library 📖✨
my thoughts after two weeks at the desk - welcome back to the Slush Pile!
As we reach Issue 34 of the Slush Pile, I am writing to you with some pretty exciting news - I got a job at a public library! I work as a Library Clerk helping patrons check materials in and out, answering technology questions, searching the catalog, and assisting them with locating materials in our library as well as other systems. It’s a lot of fun, my co-workers and supervisors are great, my schedule is flexible, and I’m learning so much every day, including how to issue library cards and drive a bookmobile (note: it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be but I also resent the person who made bigger vehicles work for tall people without considering us short folks).
Over the now past two weeks, I’ve really enjoyed myself. But I’ve also come away with a lot of thoughts about how the public library works, the relationships between departments and people and systems, the connections (and lack thereof) between libraries and library school, and the perceptions and misconceptions people seem to believe about the library in general. Just the other day, for example, I had to correct a friend who thought I was a librarian simply because I worked at a library, which, honestly, is a fair assumption to make when the library itself isn’t telling outsiders anything. Like the fact that not just anyone can work at a library and you need a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS) to fulfill a role with that job title. I didn’t even correct a mother who told her child to pass the books to the librarian, a.k.a. me, for check-out the other day because I liked how that title made me feel and how sweet it was more than I was interested in a helpful, educational moment. There’s a lot to say, so if you’re not interested in libraries, feel free to skip this newsletter issue, though you may be in the wrong place if it’s not something you’d want to read about.
For context, I’ve been pursuing my MLIS degree at Syracuse University since January and have just under a year of my program left to complete. For those of you who don’t know or if you missed it earlier, yes, people need a degree to become a librarian! Since starting my program and even more so since starting to work at my library, I’ve become more aware that this isn’t common knowledge so I thought it’d be helpful to include it here. More specifically, they need a master’s degree in library and information science (because yes, the work we do is a science), which means they take different courses depending on their track, specialty, and interests. For example, I would love to work in youth services in the public library but many of my classmates are also interested in working in academic libraries, private libraries, archives, and even museums. There’s a wide range of places you can work in with an MLIS degree because public libraries, of course, aren’t the only ones that exist.
Also as part of the MLIS degree, you get to focus on the theories and practices of librarianship, much of which has a social justice lens, such as leadership, cultural competence, accessibility, and right to privacy. You get to practice research skills because a lot of questions that patrons will ask you is where to find or how to do something. There are a lot of moral, ethical, and political questions that you get to grapple with during the program, which will ultimately make you a better information worker at the library.
Of course, the next question that usually comes up is why librarians need a master’s degree when they’re “just” shelving and scanning books. What I find quite funny about this is that librarians are rarely the ones behind the main information desk unless they’re covering for someone else lower in the department or have scheduled themselves to be there when they have a free moment. At least in my library, most of what librarians do, including supervisors for their specific department, is attending meetings, putting in tech and work requests with facilities, supervising new hire training, creating the weekly work schedules, addressing complex patron problems, and creating and leading programming. And my library director? I rarely see her in the building because she’s often out at meetings, creating potential partnerships with organizations she can create on behalf of the library, and working on ways to raise money for the library.
The work that people think librarians do, such as sorting and reshelving books, is so demanding that there’s a whole job title created for this work, i.e. library aides who work all day to keep up with the constant returning of materials into the bins (at my library, these have to be emptied at least twice a day). There’s a whole technical services department whose job it is to catalog and repair damaged materials because librarians simply have too much to do within the library’s operating hours. Don’t forget volunteers too, who often assist with programming and help out in every department of the library, including the information desk. As for checking books in and out and helping with research questions, those are jobs fulfilled by library assistants and clerks (me!). As anyone who’s done this job knows, we rarely get a break at the desk during busy days and times, and often are working with a long line of patrons in front of us. We don’t have time to kick back and read (nor do most libraries allow it) because of the amount of patrons who need our help. Which is a good thing! Because that means people are using the library.
Everyone’s job is hard and I see the huge amount of work it takes to keep a library up and running just for one day, let alone six out of seven days of the week, that a single library can only function when you have a whole team of people doing their individual work to make up the whole. Libraries aren’t always efficient or as good as they could be but what I love about my workplace is that everyone makes the effort to try.
Another thing I love about my library is the patrons. True, sometimes they can be a bit perturbed or frustrated by an outstanding fee on their account or a notice that says they didn’t return a book when they did. But when I work there five days a week, I’ve started to recognize patrons who come by almost every day to use our services. One patron even recognizes me in turn and often compliments my work outfits. Because, unlike other libraries, this community is incredibly involved and passionate about the space. They fill out suggestion cards by the dozen. They make ample use of the purchase request form. They attend events and programming. They’re not afraid to ask questions. They love their library and there’s no better feeling than when you work at a library that is so loved by the people who use it.
I love my co-workers and my department supervisor, who always jump at the opportunity to teach me how to do new things while I’m still in training. They’re kind and patient and aren’t annoyed when I ask questions. In fact, they welcome it because they know that I’m excited to be engaged and involved. I’m excited to come to work every day, to dress up looking my best, to decorate my desk space and name tag lanyard. At the desk, I feel like I’m in my natural element. I don’t let questions I don’t know the answer to trip me up. I offer various solutions and give patrons choices. We find a resolution together. It’s so much more than what people think library workers do all day.
And don’t even get me started about all the amazing things libraries offer and do, which somehow feels like it holds even lower awareness in the public view than the roles of library workers. It’s been amazing to see libraries transform over the past decade from book warehouses into centers for information in every conceivable way: a venue site for exciting and engaging programming like building teddy bears or playing ping-pong or learning about indigenous lifeways, a computer lab, a place to try out 3-D printers and embroidery/sewing machines, somewhere to relax in the AC for free, a place to buy books for $1 or less if you so choose. In addition to a zine collection, my library even has a section where you can check out all kinds of exciting equipment like cameras, a metal detector, hiking backpacks, literacy kits, and binoculars, just to name a few.
I’ve said this before, but the library isn’t perfect. It’s true. At my library, the amount of ADA standards that we’re breaking on the daily because of the building’s physical structure is staggering (though this hopefully will be fixed in an upcoming renovation). Our signage isn’t always clear or easy to see. Some systems, like for printing, are often too complicated even for staff to use or navigate, let alone help patrons with. At other libraries, they may have all these issues and more. There’s a lot of work left to do to make libraries more equitable and accessible for all, regardless of ability, wealth, or protected class. But there’s also so much good too and whatever work comes next, I hope to be a part of it somehow.
notes from the writer’s desk ✍️
my favorite recently pub’d pieces:
American Girl Still Matters to This 24-Year-Old Latina, LatinaMedia.Co
updates:
I’m thrilled to finally share that this September, I’ll be giving my first talk on the TEDx stage in Huntington Beach!! I literally can’t wait for September 28th to speak about diversity, representation, and written storytelling. If you’re interested, please join the waitlist to attend the event in person - see you there!
I’m so excited to announce the upcoming publication of my debut children’s book!! The book will spotlight past and present queer heroes from Latin America and the U.S. and is forthcoming from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. More info and details to come soon! In the meantime, please read this thread I wrote about the project.
resources:
Looking for book recommendations? Check out my Bookstagram and TikTok to keep up with what I’m reading and loving right now! On TikTok, you’ll also get more snippets of my everyday writing life and lifestyle/fashion content. See you there!
other stories i’m loving 📖
currently reading:
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
currently watching:
The Golden Girls, S7
currently listening to:
“Waving Through a Window” by Ben Platt
all my love,
sofía xx