Library Day in the Life

I had so much fun following this project for the last go around, I can't wait to expand my participation to include this blog as well.  For those of you who don't know, Library Day in the Life is a glimpse into the daily life of the profession.  Read more about this at http://librarydayinthelife.pbworks.com/w/page/16941198/FrontPage.  I will be tweeting about my day and you can follow me on @librarymary40.  The Twitter hashtag is #libday6.  Library Day in the Life Project is the based on an idea from Bobbi Newman, also known as the Librarian By Day.(Read her blog here.)

Aside from the cool ideas put forth in everyone sharing a "typical day" in library world, I urge you to read the this post.  The librarian in me of course must also give credit to the original author's post of Contributions, Criticisms, and Courage.  Normally I am not one to reach for "inspirational" quotes or some kind of library cheerleading, but Bobbi and several others have articulated something that has been bothering me about our profession. The wave of negative attitudes showing up in Tweets, Facebook, and other communications has been a little more than simple case of "gallows humor". We are all facing impossible budgets, more work than can be managed, meetings and insane employees, bosses, boards, customers, etc.  My general sense is that tolerance for the crazy in our job is slipping, attitudes are taking on a darker tone and people are just generally losing their sense of humor about library service.  

Rethinking your career in public service is essential if you are unhappy.  Not everyone can last forever since the toll on your psyche is quite heavy. If nothing else the Library Day in the Life project should at least make folks who think this is a career where you get to "read all day" rethink what a librarian does.  Regardless of the type of librarian you are or will become, the element of service to others is an essential element.  If you find yourself being part of the problem or offering more criticism than contribution, time to rethink your profession.

Mary