Making a Difference

I’ve worked in my current position for almost six years and I’ll tell you that I’m not a children’s librarian because I’m making the big bucks; I’m a children’s librarian because I want to make a difference in children’s lives.  And I think that’s what’s so great about the field that I’m in, many of us feel the same way.

I love seeing the toddlers and preschoolers in the library as they stop by my desk and say hello.  Some just stare at me while I talk at them, while others don’t stop talking as mommy or daddy begin dragging them away saying, “Miss Laura has to get some work done now.”  Then comes the elementary school age kids, many who have become very familiar with me now that we have our regular Fun Friday program.  These kids come a few minutes before the program starts and stand in front and around the side of my desk talking over each 0ther making sure I acknowledge what they’re saying.  And then I have my middle school kids, who may not always show their appreciation, but every once in a while I’ll get a glimpse of it.  I just had an 8th grader ask me to write a letter for her.  They place them in a time capsule and open them when they graduate from high school.  I was so honored that she thought I was important enough to ask to write a letter.

In these small ways, I am so glad that I’ve made a difference in these children’s lives and my hope is that I can continue to grow these relationships for as long as each child needs them.  And often when they reach high school, the kids begin getting too busy to visit too often, but when I do see them around the community, many often stop to say hello.  I am so blessed to be in a career I love and to be a part of the community and these children’s lives.