{"id":5694,"date":"2023-03-20T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T16:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/?p=5694"},"modified":"2023-03-16T10:55:49","modified_gmt":"2023-03-16T17:55:49","slug":"ischool-classmates-that-work-in-public-libraries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/ischool-classmates-that-work-in-public-libraries\/","title":{"rendered":"iSchool Classmates that work in Public Libraries\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\"115,151<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

As I\u2019m nearing the end of my MLIS journey, I\u2019ve been thinking more about long-term career goals. I was curious what some of my classmates’ experiences were who also work in a public library, and what their long-term goals are. We came up with questions and gave our thoughts about our work in public libraries. I had a great time learning about my peers and I hope you do as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What drew you to public libraries?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Samantha<\/b>: Honestly, I was at first trying to apply for introductory academic library positions, but when I didn\u2019t get hired, I started applying for any library position in the area. The public library was the first to hire me. I thought I\u2019d start getting my foot in the door within the library world there, but I\u2019ve been having so much fun, I fell in love with working in a public library. Some of the main reasons I\u2019m drawn to continue working in a public library are all the different questions I work with. It\u2019s a bonus to know pop culture to keep up with the collections and I love being able to explore and be a part of different fandoms that all come together in one place for others to also learn about and explore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eori<\/b>: I was drawn to public libraries because of all the children\u2019s books and programs they offered. As an aspiring picture book author and illustrator, I loved having access to all the books and resources. Before pursuing an MLIS, I was accepted to an MSW and an MA\/PhD program but neither felt quite right. Eventually, I learned that public libraries were the perfect combination of books, community development, creativity, and research. Although I do feel embarrassed at times that I wasn\u2019t the type of child to be enamored with my local public library, I\u2019m proud to be an advocate for one now as an adult.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amelia<\/b>: I love how public libraries are ultimately community hubs, especially in today\u2019s era. They\u2019re no longer places where people go to be quiet and study \u2013 they\u2019re now places where people can go to learn new things, meet new people, and build a stronger sense of community. Most people have a good opinion of their local libraries and are happy to support them, even those who don\u2019t visit them often. I haven\u2019t worked in public libraries for long (almost four years now), but so far it has been a very rewarding experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edit<\/b>: I loved to read books as a child, and so it was an easy decision for me to start volunteering then working as a student-worker in my senior year of high school\u2026 and I just never left. Now it has been almost nine years since I was introduced to the world of public libraries, and I fell in love with all of its possibilities. It is a place of books, resources, activities, events, and community gatherings. I have witnessed my own local public library transform and adapt to the needs of its community, and I am excited to see what the future holds and how I can change it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you do for your job?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Samantha<\/b>: I\u2019m a sub reference librarian at my local public library. I mainly work at the youth reference desk of the main branch in the county, although I do occasionally work at one of the smaller branches. Daily activities include answering reference questions, retrieving materials for patrons, updating book displays, and forwarding patron purchase requests to the proper collection manager. The smaller branch I work at only has one desk in the whole library so I answer any reference collections and perform any circulation duties like checking in books, filling holds, and reshelving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eori<\/b>: I work as a Senior Branch Page for my library district, which means I\u2019m responsible for shelving, checking books out, opening the library, closing the library, cash reconciliation, and reference desk services exclusively for the two branch libraries. There are several of us with the same title so we do a lot of the tasks that librarians do at the main library. I’m also a certified passport agent so I process passports for our patrons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amelia<\/b>: I work as a Library Clerk and Substitute Librarian. The Clerk position is entirely focused on Circulation procedures, which includes working at the front desk, processing fines, checking in and out books, answering phone calls and emails, operating the library drive-up window, and working within my state\u2019s interlibrary loan system. The Librarian position involves working at the Information\/Reference Desk in the Adult Services section, which includes answering patron questions, helping them with library computers, printing\/copying\/faxing, answering phones and emails, holds paging, and assisting with events when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edit<\/b>: I am the Librarian Specialist for the Maker Technologies at the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture. I am responsible for the MakerSpace and its staff and workshop programming. At the MakerSpace we have 3D printers, sewing machines, Cricut machines, art, jewelry, and craft supplies for our patrons. I am tasked with the upkeep, maintenance, scheduling, programming, and other components of the space and my team of 8 part-time workers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s your favorite part of the job?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Samantha<\/b>: I love that nearly everyday I\u2019m working with new topics. There\u2019s so many different reference questions kids have and it\u2019s exciting to see what their creative minds are coming up with. Most of the time the library has something on the topic of what they\u2019re looking for which is always amazing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eori<\/b>: My favorite part of working in the public library are the kids. Our young readers are so curious about the world and I love being able to work directly with them. This is also the first time that I\u2019ve worked in a community where Japanese is considered a \u201cneed,\u201d so I\u2019m happy that I get to speak with patrons in my family\u2019s native language. I\u2019m also a part of our library\u2019s DEI committee, so I enjoy having a monthly space where my coworkers and I can bring up topics, programs, and ideas that work to uplift our underserved communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amelia<\/b>: I love helping people find what they\u2019re looking for and get them what they need. Meeting patrons and interacting with them can be a very pleasant experience, especially when I meet one who is a fan of the library and appreciates all we do as librarians.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edit<\/b>: It\u2019s in the name: To Make! I love crafting, so being in this space allows me to create and encourage other teens and adults to let out their creative sides. Having the freedom to interact with the patrons on a different level is very rewarding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you find most challenging?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Samantha<\/b>: Similarly with customer service jobs, there are some hostile situations I\u2019ve been in with patrons who weren\u2019t being respectful or understanding of boundaries. It\u2019s not very often but when it does happen it\u2019s really hard not to let it ruin my whole day. However, I have great support from fellow librarians at my library who are all willing to help each other out with de-escalating situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eori<\/b>: I knew situations like this would happen going in to public libraries, but sometimes I get patrons who think it\u2019s okay to say derogatory comments to me. Luckily I don\u2019t get too many patrons like that and while I do understand that similar situations can arise anywhere, it does hit a sore spot when they try to get at something personal. And since I work at the front desk, I\u2019m constantly on display so it can be hard some days. Thankfully, my coworkers and managers are super supportive and are more than willing to step in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amelia<\/b>: Public service can be a thankless job. It\u2019s hard work, and can often be very frustrating and overwhelming, especially when patrons are demanding and have little respect for what you do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Edit:<\/strong> Working in a public library:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n