Literacy * Creativity * Curiosity * Instruction * Empowerment

A library’s first responsibility is to meet the needs of its community. As the value of traditional library elements are increasingly called into question in the modern era, it is more important than ever for library institutions to model the flexibility and ingenuity required to stay relevant in changing times. The volume of our collections and the silence in our halls have become less important markers of success in the face of making sure that our communities see us as invaluable centers for information and resources, regardless of what form those resources take.

Public Library

Public libraries should be essential cornerstones of their communities and their librarians should be on the forefront of understanding what community members will need in the future, in order to manage the information overload present in all our lives. However, we should also be in constant communication with our communities, developing a strong understanding of how they would like to see the library serve them. It is our job to advocate for ourselves and stand up for the fact that we can be ambassadors in the information age as well as conservators of our communities’ histories and traditions.

As a public librarian I develop programs that speak to specific community needs. I help those who may feel out of touch with technology to not only gain comfort with technology, but also to gain the confidence to continue learning independently. Engagement and feedback form the foundation of my programming development philosophy.

School Library

A school library is an indispensable feature of a strong education. As a school librarian I strive to create an environment that nurtures literacy, inspires curiosity, allows creativity to blossom, and provides a stable foundation of practical information skills for students and teachers alike. I provide unwavering support for teachers as they take on ever-expanding responsibilities, but I am first and foremost a teacher myself. Instruction is central to my library philosophy, because a library is everybody’s classroom.

Literacy is at the forefront of my instructional content, but I use a definition of literacy that acknowledges how it has changed over time. Traditional reading and writing — though still cornerstones of educational achievement — are no longer enough. In today’s multimedia world, we are all now expected to make meaning by synthesizing a variety of information sources. Visual literacy and listening skills have a new importance in the age of YouTube, and a librarian is the logical person to take on the challenge of merging these new literacies with traditional ones.

Finding answers is a special skill of mine, but as a librarian, I do not merely find answers. Rather, I empower all of my students to take responsibility for learning to find the answers themselves. By cultivating these strong inquiry skills, I prepare students to assume roles in professions that may not yet exist. With empowerment comes the confidence to innovate, and innovation from the next generation is what will carry us into the future.

Inclusion

Libraries have historically been on the front lines protecting the rights and civil liberties of our communities. We have been, and continue to be, champions of free speech; we facilitate free access to information, and serve as a Third Space in which all community members can assemble and learn. As we safeguard these values, it is essential to recognize the systemic structures that silence the voices of people who do not hold power. To me inclusion means recognizing the privilege I have and to intentionally use that privilege to amplify the voices of those who have a harder time being heard. Inclusion means making sure every patron can see themselves in the library’s collection and see their interests in our programming. It means listening more than I speak. Inclusion means designing our space and resources so they are accessible and understandable to all, and adjusting policies as they become obsolete. Inclusion is and will always be a work in progress so we can make sure we are the best version of the library that our community needs in the present moment.