When I was a little girl, I struggled to fit in. My family had little means and we moved around a lot, so I was always the “new” girl. I was taller than most of my peers, and more mature for my age. The only place I always felt welcome, and where I always felt “belonged” was at the public library. The public library was a magical place that took me on amazing adventures at a price my family could afford. The local libraries were places where I could stay and feel safe all day long. While at the libraries, the librarians were heroes in my eyes since they were always available and interested in paying their undivided attention to me while I asked for more and more books on princesses, Barbie, and Winnie the Pooh. The libraries were my sanctuary, the hug I needed on a tough day, or a place to celebrate when life awarded me with something amazing. Renate Chancellor once stated, “libraries would be safe places where individuals could come and have free access to all information regardless of their ideologies, beliefs, or ethics.” (Chancellor 50). This is what I remember most about libraries growing up, and what I would like libraries to continue being, not only today, but always in the future for generations to come.
I want to now contribute back and create this type of environment in the children’s department in my community. I recognize that I grew up privileged, not with money or material goods, but with the opportunity to see myself portrayed in many of the books my library had on its shelves. I always felt accepted and seen, which is probably one of the many reasons why I love libraries as much as I do today. It is also one of the greatest assets keeping libraries relevant and important in society. Children and teens should feel heard and accepted for who they are, and one of the ways a library can do that is ensuring the materials available in their library is representative of the cultures in the communities they serve. As the Core Values of the American Library Association state, “A democracy presupposes an informed citizenry. The First Amendment mandates the right of all persons to free expression, and the corollary right to receive the constitutionally protected expression of others. The publicly supported library provides free and equal access to information for all people of the community the library serves.” Libraries are very fortunate nowadays as publishing has come a long way and presented more diversity in books that will hopefully continue to alleviate this issue and promote greater understanding of other cultures and traditions.
Additionally, modern day, “libraries became community centers open to all, where people could meet, learn, create, and discuss the issues of the day.” (Cassell 14). I plan to continue this type of gathering in the library I serve and to encourage growth of library practices in technology and makerspaces where creativity can come alive. I want to create an inclusive environment where individuals can be themselves and make the world a better place. “Even in their most fundamental role as literature hubs, public libraries serve as third spaces: those locations where community members of all sorts are naturally brought together and where the core of civic engagement is organically nurtured.” (Wahler et al. 47). A place where everyone’s ideas are heard and respected and individuals are encouraged to listen to other perspectives and learn about other cultures and traditions to better appreciate others.
I believe that an important aspect to remember daily is that a library is only as strong as their community perceives them. After all, “the more visible the library is in the community, the better chance it will have to receive the operating funds it needs.” (Cassell 100). This can be achieved by attending community events, marketing library services, and developing community partnerships. “Partnerships are a way of making the best use of limited local resources, increasing the profile of the library, and finding new sources of expertise and skills.” (Cassell 119). I plan to work with local schools and businesses to provide the highest level of community service for patrons. This excellence in community service would be provided through connecting patrons with effective resources to improve their lives and the community as a whole.
Throughout my tenure as a student in the SLIS program at the University of Alabama, I have heard about the history of libraries, the practices of libraries, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. I plan to take all this knowledge and apply it to the best of my ability in a public library remembering every day that words have the impact to hurt or heal. Knowledge is power and how one uses the knowledge can have a profound and significant impact on an individual or one’s community – either for the better or for the worse. I hope that as a professional, I will, like the librarians of my youth, continue to enrich my community.
Admin. (2020, September 28). Core values of librarianship. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues.
Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/corevalues
Cassell, K.A. (2021). Public libraries and their communities: An introduction. Rowman & Littlefield.
Chancellor, R. L. (2019). Communities in the crossfire: Models for public library action. Collaborative Librarianship, 11(1), 48–65.
Wahler, E. A., Spuller, R., Ressler, J., Bolan, K., & Burnard, N. (2021). Changing Public Library staff and patron needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Library Administration, 62(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2021.2006985
I want to now contribute back and create this type of environment in the children’s department in my community. I recognize that I grew up privileged, not with money or material goods, but with the opportunity to see myself portrayed in many of the books my library had on its shelves. I always felt accepted and seen, which is probably one of the many reasons why I love libraries as much as I do today. It is also one of the greatest assets keeping libraries relevant and important in society. Children and teens should feel heard and accepted for who they are, and one of the ways a library can do that is ensuring the materials available in their library is representative of the cultures in the communities they serve. As the Core Values of the American Library Association state, “A democracy presupposes an informed citizenry. The First Amendment mandates the right of all persons to free expression, and the corollary right to receive the constitutionally protected expression of others. The publicly supported library provides free and equal access to information for all people of the community the library serves.” Libraries are very fortunate nowadays as publishing has come a long way and presented more diversity in books that will hopefully continue to alleviate this issue and promote greater understanding of other cultures and traditions.
Additionally, modern day, “libraries became community centers open to all, where people could meet, learn, create, and discuss the issues of the day.” (Cassell 14). I plan to continue this type of gathering in the library I serve and to encourage growth of library practices in technology and makerspaces where creativity can come alive. I want to create an inclusive environment where individuals can be themselves and make the world a better place. “Even in their most fundamental role as literature hubs, public libraries serve as third spaces: those locations where community members of all sorts are naturally brought together and where the core of civic engagement is organically nurtured.” (Wahler et al. 47). A place where everyone’s ideas are heard and respected and individuals are encouraged to listen to other perspectives and learn about other cultures and traditions to better appreciate others.
I believe that an important aspect to remember daily is that a library is only as strong as their community perceives them. After all, “the more visible the library is in the community, the better chance it will have to receive the operating funds it needs.” (Cassell 100). This can be achieved by attending community events, marketing library services, and developing community partnerships. “Partnerships are a way of making the best use of limited local resources, increasing the profile of the library, and finding new sources of expertise and skills.” (Cassell 119). I plan to work with local schools and businesses to provide the highest level of community service for patrons. This excellence in community service would be provided through connecting patrons with effective resources to improve their lives and the community as a whole.
Throughout my tenure as a student in the SLIS program at the University of Alabama, I have heard about the history of libraries, the practices of libraries, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. I plan to take all this knowledge and apply it to the best of my ability in a public library remembering every day that words have the impact to hurt or heal. Knowledge is power and how one uses the knowledge can have a profound and significant impact on an individual or one’s community – either for the better or for the worse. I hope that as a professional, I will, like the librarians of my youth, continue to enrich my community.
Admin. (2020, September 28). Core values of librarianship. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues.
Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/corevalues
Cassell, K.A. (2021). Public libraries and their communities: An introduction. Rowman & Littlefield.
Chancellor, R. L. (2019). Communities in the crossfire: Models for public library action. Collaborative Librarianship, 11(1), 48–65.
Wahler, E. A., Spuller, R., Ressler, J., Bolan, K., & Burnard, N. (2021). Changing Public Library staff and patron needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Library Administration, 62(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2021.2006985