I have been taking my time to learn my job while acclimating to the new environment. Although there are naturally some things that align or overlap from my previous spot; it also feels like an entirely new world. The school felt big at first, so this new library system and varying branches feels huge. I’m sure as time goes, it will feel like the regular ‘ol stomping grounds, but until then, I will continue to observe and learn from those around me.
Many of the staff have been here for over a decade, let alone multiple. That makes things feel promising in the sense that they have held onto staff for a dedicated lifetime. Not only does it provide a sense of security (given I work up to standards), but an important sense of stability given the current market and state of the world.
Waterfall on Nikon S3000
Governmental institutions are supposed* to be inherently “neutral”, as we serve all people. To adopt a specific, repeated view or following would be exclusionary and that is quite literally the opposite of a library’s mission. It is hard to stay silent given the crimes being committed on people in this county. My values, politically, socially, all encompassing around the human condition around the world – is in no way tied to the institution I work for.
However, it is equally important to speak on, and fight for the things you believe in outside of work. While this is a portfolio of sorts, it is also me. If an employer were to not want me in their sphere due to posted beliefs, it is likely not an organization I would want to receive money from either.
My work and my outside life will always have a separation; especially for the sake of librarianship and public service. On this outside source of my own creation and worked on solely at home within the safety of my home office, I will spread information, and findings regarding current news as I please.
Hope everyone is taking care of themselves as much as one can with the attack from our government on education, learning, safety, autonomy, justice, and endless endless other rights and protections.
Not sure how the post got here, this was more of a ramble than anything, but indicative of the times. Maybe this will become an archive one day.
What a whirlwind this past week has been. My brain is absolutely filled to the brim with new information, processes, and people, but in the best way.
Despite my immense nerves and feelings of inadequacy, the time flew by and the team I have inherited have been nothing but helpful, sweet, and understanding. Not that I expected otherwise, but I know not all library teams have been so lucky. I am grateful to be in a position that is new in theory, and to build and grow with it. It is somewhat daunting “leading” the path for this particular position in a way, but also excited by the prospects of making it my own.
I am ready to feel integrated with the pre-existing ongoings, I am still figuring out what has been done, what partnerships exist, and what is needed. Granted it has only been 5 days since I started, I am yearning for the lack of confusion and overwhelm.
It is important to take hold of the inspiration and motivation; however, equally important to not overdo it and burn myself out before the real things even get started. Perhaps I am too optimistic on what can be done, but I would rather live in that ignorant bliss for the time being, as opposed to its counterpart reality of not thinking real change can happen. I am charged by the opportunity to connect with local organizations and building long lasting partnerships between them and our public library.
Snowman on film (2025)
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New Year, New Priorities
In a month that is focused on renewal, setting expectations, and laying the groundwork for how the year will progress, I will share some ‘goals’ and aspirations I have for the coming 12 months that I may or may not reflect on by at the end of 2026.
Create library partnerships with local organizations and schools to bring more access and familiarity with the public library!
Continue language learning endeavors; Japanese, Spanish, American Sign Language, and more!
Dedicate time and space to foster my hobbies and creative passions.
Continue this blog/portfolio of work for both myself and any career opportunities to come
To share a few pieces of media I’ve been enjoying/ am looking to consume…
“Martyr” by Kaveh Akbar [Book] – An amazing read, I understand why it is on booklists and recommendations; Covering topics of Iranian identity within the US, queerness, and the unique dynamics between parents, let alone immigrant parents. I loved the blending perspectives and both external and internal dialogue of Cyrus as the story progresses.
Martyr Cover, Penguin Random House (n.d.)
“Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf [Book] – A classic book that is allegedly queer/sapphic? As we know, Miss Virginia was of the sapphic leaning world, and I am on a hunt for queer lit in general. I have this checked out from the public library and am hoping to finish it by the end of the month!
Mrs. Dalloway 1st ed. cover, Wikipedia (n.d.)
“Youth Social Action in the Library: Cultivating Change Makers” by Gina Seymour [Book] – Going into my outreach library position, I want to not only gather ideas for potential programs and events, but also foster a sense of advocacy and social action amongst our youth. I began the seedlings of this with my elementary students, but now that I will get to work with all ages, I am excited to expand upon that and learn more. This was just recently published, and will hopefully have plenty of valuable information that I can take away and share.
Youth Social Action in the Library Cover, Bloomsbury (n.d.)
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Managing Expectations
The year has just begun, but I am hoping to remain positive, enchanted, and eager. I have been reminding myself that things do not in fact, need to be incessantly rushed, that it is okay to take a moment or two to think before responding, and that is it okay to ask questions (actually this is often encouraged).
As I acclimate to my new environment, duties, and tasks, I can only hope to continue learning and applying myself to the best of my abilities, without the self-inflicted impending doom. Hopefully, this also serves as a reminder to those reading that this can all apply to you as well (if needed or relatable in any way of course…)
Cheers to the new year, whenever you celebrate & well wishes to all!~
The stars aligned, I got a new job and formally resigned from the library spot that changed my career trajectory. It is a bittersweet evolution, but one that was much needed. I was feeling many things that are seemingly constant within the public school system…
Public Elementary librarianship…
Stuck, underpaid, under-resourced. Despite my invigorated sense of creativity towards my elementary library, I was met with constant roadblocks and general burnout from the inherent extra tasks in the day-to-day with students. On the other hand, it was also a year of feeling like I was finally getting the hang of things – familiar enough with my routine that I could successfully add elements thanks to my solidifying foundation.
I found a method of planning that allowed me to incorporate a monthly science experiment during lunch recess, ordering supplies ahead of schedule and going through test runs and iterations before the real thing.
I created a zine the introduce other real world concepts to students while also allowing a space of publication for them to make it their own. I was very excited about this project, but got offered my new spot in the midst of making the second edition. Although I did not get to see this one through with my students, I am hoping to bring an iteration of it to the public library.
My elementary library will always hold a special place in my heart and my story as a person. It was my own library as a student, getting to take care of and promote the very books I read there, 15 years prior. I got to work alongside some of the teachers I had as a kid, and that was a truly unique and fulfilling experience. I was offered it by chance, simply being the right time right place, let alone at a time in my early 20’s where I was feeling especially lost and low.
I learned so much about librarianship in that position, and so much about the innerworkings of schools, their libraries, and how we can serve our TK-6 grade students. I will always be grateful to the fellow librarians I worked with and learned from, and the fantastic leaders at the TRC that trained me. Every librarian was different, and provided something to take away every time we met.
Next stop ~
Either way, as I transition into this new space of librarianship, I am met with all the usual friends of change; anxiety, overthinking, and elation. It is a confirmation that what I have worked toward the last few years came of something, roots to help form the next step in the career journey. Anxiety of unfamiliar routines and locations and coworkers, but I know in due time, this will fade and be replaced by an ease, and hopefully, confidence.
Potwisha Trail, Sequoia National Park, Dec. 2025
I know every type of library and work setting has its norms and downfalls and all the varying aspects of life and work. I am not saying the public library is the perfect space or that I won’t experience burnout or days lacking passion. However, I am excited to learn new skills, create new projects, and work with new people.
A fun side quest
My nephew is a notorious non-reader. However, as he’s nearing adulthood, he happened to ask me the best way to improve one’s vocabulary (I’m sure slightly inspired by impending college). This question happened to ignite passion for literacy, and I gave him an explanation as well as actionable things we could do to help! This of course included how one of the best ways to improve one’s vocabulary was by… reading—– a wild concept I know. With that being said, I wanted to figure out a tactic to aid his reading journey in a way that didn’t feel like homework.
As a big journal/handwriting person, I did get him a nice notebook to serve as a brain dump for reading and vocab found. I know this isn’t everyone’s learning style, but he’s a teen who loves to draw and needsss to get more writing time from the screen forward school assignments. Also, I want for all to feel the absorbing, boundless worlds, and realities, that can be explored in writing.
It was fun to ‘research’ into what recommended readings there might be for his age-group, 17+. I haven’t interacted with that age-group in the library much yet, and while I remember what I was reading in high school at that age, I’m unaware of most that have been published since. I curated a selection of “recommendations” divvied into genres with little blurbs on the plot to pique interest. I included some listed written titles as well, just so I wasn’t spending 10 pages on these cut outs… I ordered a few that I listed from Thrift Books, so those have been slowly trickling in.
I should have taken a few photos but alas, I did not. I was excited to give him the notebook with related books in tow. I know, in theory, this is not someone’s dream Christmas gift, and I’m sure he was on the same boat as most might be. Regardless! I hope he enjoys it, uses it, and maybe finds a story or two that he comes to cherish as life goes on. As I do, for many of those late teen/ early adulthood books.
Down the rabbit hole, so to speak
As we enter the new year, I am not immune to the “newness” attributed to this holiday, celebration. As much as I follow by those cliches that a new day is a new day, don’t need to wait for the new year to start something… yada yada, you know. It also has an inherent newness, starting the journals and calendars that correspond, having time off from work (usually…) to reset the space you occupy. I am looking forward to being in a new environment and new cast and crew, despite the immense anxiety change and lack of knowledge that can take over.
Duff, D., Tomblin, J.B., & Catts, H. (2015). The influence of reading on vocabulary growth: A case for a Matthew Effect. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 58(3). https://doi.org/10.1044/2015_JSLHR-L-13-0310
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