Yesterday I took 15 minutes to put new shelf labels (made by Janice Keene, thank you!) onto our Tween book shelves. I found myself really enjoying what I refer to as “the guts” of library work…the simple tasks that are necessary for the operation of the library. I took great delight in putting up the signs, screwing every screw into the shelves, and stepping back to look at the amazing color selections. It was nice to complete a job that so many people will get so much from.
As I move up in the library world, these are the little things that I miss doing. What is clear to me now is that I need to find time to do these things. I want to be a librarian that thinks outside of the box and does amazing and new things, but I also want to always remember that I am a librarian. I think that’s important.
Nice post. And an insight that applies just as well to any profession.
Exactly why I never want to be a management librarian without reference desk duty. I shelve at least a couple of books everyday. I talk to patrons wandering in the stacks. Those tasks remind me that where the books go, and what information people need are part of why the big picture stuff matters.