The beginning of 2017 brings the close of my first full year working at the LPL. I excitedly began my adventure at the library in the new year of 2016. Little did I know when this journey began, I would enjoy my work in a library more than I had ever imagined.
Growing up, my mother made certain my siblings and I visited the library often. We knew how to navigate within the library at a young age and even use the old- school card catalog (yes, I’m dating myself). I would attend story times and visit libraries on our many travels around Montana. My mother ingrained in us the “love the library” motif. She’s the biggest book lover and collector I know. Mom was by far the most excited when I got a job at the library, but my niece Broquel was also thrilled, saying, “You’re so lucky! You get to work with books all day. My dream job!”
Admittedly, working in a library is much different than I had envisioned. For example, I was very naïve to actually think I would get much reading time at work as a librarian. I was looking forward to that, and it rarely ever happens. There is so much to do! Being a librarian is a very interactive service job and also physically demanding. Each day different patrons utilize the library, classes visit via field trips, children attend story time, groups gather in the upstairs meeting room and folks search genealogy and historical resources. Books continually need care, moved about the library and shelved.
Even though I don’t get to read all day, I have picked up more books this year for my reading leisure at home than I have read in the last several years. My favorite books I’ve read in year one working at the library are: Fool’s Crow by James Welch, Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult, The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.
My first year at the LPL has been a great success and learning experience. The library is a wonderland of information and excellent place to be part of the community. I’m very happy to be part of the LPL team. I look forward to many more years “in the books!”
