My+Personal+Philosophy+of+Librarianship

Libraries are the information centers for the communities in which they are located. A school library is the hub of the school. It provides its users, students, and teachers with a location to find leisure reading materials for their own entertainment. It also a place of research for lessons and projects. A school library is a place where computers can be used for those who do not have them at home, and it is a safe place. It is quiet and welcoming providing its users with a place to concentrate and relax. Libraries are collections that meet one’s own needs in their home, or an entire communities needs in a public facility. These collections provide access to those that are unsure if they want to purchase a book or other piece of media, and they also provide access to technology that is not available in all homes. This is the great thing about libraries. All people are equal. They have access to the exact same material and technology. Librarians are jacks of all trades. They can and are expected to do whatever is asked of them. In a typical day, a librarian can do the typical tasks of checking out and shelving books, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Librarians must maintain a budget and manage what is purchased for their center. This includes books, tech equipment, videos, etc. They must also teach classes about using the library, research, etc. In today’s world, librarians are in many cases the technology specialists in addition to their other jobs. It is their responsibility to troubleshoot computer problems in the school, prepare professional development sessions to teach technology, and provide technology services to the students. I do think that librarians must be multi-taskers, but I do feel that their most important job is to serve people, and by serving others, their job will differ from venue to venue. To be a good librarian, one must be patient. Librarians are asked to do many things, and many times people want them to do it immediately. Librarians are in a service position where they must help others, which means that they will be interrupted, and they cannot avoid this. People do not understand all of the work that a librarian does. One may constantly refer to one in this position as having a “cake job.” Do not be fooled. This is the most active and non-stop job one may encounter in a school. There are no breaks, it is never consistent, and it is a job that is never complete. Librarians must also be able to collaborate and work with others. This means that librarians must know all curriculum areas, so they can help develop lessons along side of teachers to best meet the needs of students. Librarians must also be self-teachable. Many tasks arise that are new to the librarian. He or must be able to figure out how to use equipment, etc. many times while teaching another how to do the same thing. This ability is becoming more and more needed to librarians as the also assume the role of technology specialist in their jobs. The role of the library in the institution or community that it serves is to provide an avenue of knowledge that one can use either in the center or at their home. Librarians in these centers are accessible to provide assistance in finding materials and using the equipment within the center. Libraries can be used for presentations, displays, or other activities that meet the needs and interests of its patrons. A library can also be a quiet environment where one can work to accomplish the tasks assigned to them or a place to read for pleasure. I would say that the most important service that a librarian provides would be in its service to its patrons. A librarian, no matter what, must help the patrons find and use the information that the library provides. This can be in locating books, magazines, or reference materials. It could also be in locating websites, databases, and other more technical sources that would best meet the patrons’ needs. I think in this service that a librarian provides, he or she also teaches, whether it be on an individual basis, in a small group, to a whole class, or an entire staff. I want to be a librarian because it is the only way that I have found that I can work with the different curriculum areas, all teachers, and students at the same time. I love research, and I feel that I can share my love of research and how to utilize all possible resources in this position. I also feel that I can make a difference in this position, where I could not if I were in an office position in which I wrote curriculum, or managed only teachers all day.
 * My Personal Philosophy of Librarianship **