[Publib] RE: Becoming Librarians

[Marlene Coleman]

<<I just wanted to add that after reading all of these messages, I have to agree with Joshua.  In retrospect, it is kind of sad.  It's all given me a new goal.  When I tease my brothers and my friends that their children are librarians in the making, it will now be more serious.  I'll try and show the parents how challenging the profession is and how satisfying it can be at the same time.  Maybe, just maybe, it will make a difference in some child's choice of career.  (Sounds really good doesn't it <G>)
        Colleen.>>


And it makes a difference...

Even though it drives my kids crazy...I talk to them, their friends, and anyone else that shows any curiosity, about what a great job being a librarian is!  A couple years ago I was at a conference where one of the presentations gave the results of a study, about how people became librarians.  There were some who just happened into it of course....but predominately most of them KNEW someone who was one. It was either a relative, friend of the family, or a librarian at a school or public library, who acted positive about there job, and was a good mentor and role model. 

I was thankfully introduced to libraries early and often, and though I wanted to be a page...that job just never opened up for me...it wasn't until I got into my first year of teaching elementary school that I realized that the best thing I liked about education courses was children's literature, and I went back to library school immediately! As life is serendipity I never became a Children's Librarian (except to my kids), but then there's lots of roles in being a librarian...and right now all you "Teen Librarians" or those who working with middle school students, can have a big impact on our profession (it starts early), by encouraging and developing the ones who show interest in learning and questioning things, and like to find things...

Marlene F. Coleman, MLIS ~ Beaufort Branch Manager
Beaufort County Library System
311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC 29905
843-470-6544 ~ mcoleman at bcgov.net
www.bcgov.net/library
For Learning ♦ For Leisure ♦ For Life