By B T. The first time I walked into a library, I never wanted to leave. I was a very introverted little kid. I didn’t like leaving my house, or being around people who weren’t my family – true story: I never went to preschool because I refused to get out of the car.But the … Read more
By Samantha H. My mom went back to school when I was little to get an AA in Library Tech. That little degree made a world of difference for our family. Not only did she find a career she was suited for and could help support us, my frequent trips to the library with her … Read more
By Dana M. It was 11:00 pm. Wednesday of finals week and the last quarter of my senior year. My paper was due the next morning and I didn’t have a word on the page. I stumbled into the library in my pajamas carrying the heavy certainty that this moment of failure eradicated all my … Read more
By Susan J.
I had Curt in my Excel classes a few years ago. He had been laid off and seemed tense and quiet, but he was very serious about learning new skills for the jobs he was applying for. He came faithfully to classes for a while, but then we stopped seeing him around the library. We hoped that meant he had gotten a job.
By Barry M. I was a Boy Scout when I was twelve, and I needed to complete a 5 mile hike. The world was a safer place then, and my mother and father approved my hiking from our home to the public library downtown, a distance of exactly 2.5 miles. I loaded my pack with … Read more
By Dianna L. All of my life, I have loved books and libraries. In fact, I once applied to work in the library in my hometown and was told that it wouldn’t work as I talk too much. I spent 18 years as a hairstylist, which was okay, but I didn’t love it. When I … Read more
By Karen B.
More than two years have passed since I left hospital nursing. The words I penned in my farewell note to my obstetrics colleagues, some of whom I’d worked alongside for nearly twenty-two years, were bittersweet. I’m replacing the magic of birth with the magic of books.
Since then, I haven’t looked back. I now have the pleasure of working with two exceptional teacher-librarians at Hellgate High School. Daily, I’m touched by interactions with students and staff. Students’ impassioned “you have to read this!” recommendations have introduced me to books I would not have chosen on my own. I’ve had occasion to suggest books as well, not only the gut-wrenching, realistic fiction I gravitate toward, but other genres, too. Along the way, some students have confided heartbreaking experiences of their own.
By Darinlee N. One of my favorite things about working at my library is that I am allowed to put up my Spooky Doll display in one of the display cases every October. The first year I put it up, the students loved it so much, they asked if it could be put up again … Read more
By Anna J. I love libraries – always have, always will. Maybe it’s genetic. My parents both loved libraries – my dad especially. He always wanted to be a librarian, but it never worked out. As a result, he would constantly take his children to the local public library for books, activities, etc. In fact, … Read more
By Kristina Massari
Public libraries across the country are finding innovative ways to deliver value to their communities, including presenting high school diplomas to adult residents through Career Online High School, an accredited high school completion and career certificate program. Career Online High School is now available at more than a dozen libraries from coast to coast, with several launching this month, and has graduated its first library students.