Towards the end of the school year, Fiya Librarian is filled with emotions–good and not so good. This school year has been a tumultuous one. Educators are exhausted and students are summer ready. Administrators plan for the beginnings of a successful 2024-2025 as educators look for transfers to a new campus within the district or a new position at another organization to find their desired educational family. A former colleague of mine, an outstanding librarian, could not wait until the end of the school year; she resigned in December. She did not return for a multitude of reasons, but the main reason I gathered was through the many classes, long days, and children who needed more help than others; she found it was not worth it. She was not happy; she went into self-preservation mode. Fortunately for her, self- preservation mode led her out of the library’s classroom, and into another career field. Sadly, there will now be some children void of the great librarian that she was for those populations of underserved students. Everyone can not library, the way she libraried. That’s not a misspelled word; that’s my word for a librarian who exceeds the normal requirements to make it happen for our students because she cares enough to do so.
Librarians like educators receive those wonderful end of the school year sign off sheets for your exodus into the summer; you know the one where each department—language arts, math, science, technology, textbooks, and secretary—must sign off on your sheet before you are technically cleared to enjoy your summer. Well when I went to the reading specialists office to sign my sheet, the science specialist was there visiting with them. She said to me, “Mrs. Haynes, the library looks very empty. Are you returning next year?” I said to her, “Why do you ask me that?” Her response, “Because I want the students to have a good librarian. “I’m sure they will have a good librarian next year”, I responded. I got my necessary signatures, and I politely left the portable building in which their offices were housed. I libraried that campus; I was a great asset.
Many educators may find themselves at a similar point as my former colleague and myself. My hope for you is that as you prepare for the summer and as you consider your next move you do so thoughtfully and courageously, and purposefully. As a professional, reflection is a keystone of continuing to develop your asset management. Reflection is not just for after lesson completions, before book fairs, and during book club meetings. Reflection is for your business cycle and fulfillment as well. Recently, I viewed a sermon in which the pastor spoke of having patience and waiting to receive God’s promised blessings for your life. He spoke about the instantaneous nature of our current society and how we all want things to happen quickly, but he admonished listeners to “press the pause button”. Pause is on our television remotes, phones, game consoles and more. There are times when we have to press the proverbial pause button of our lives to assess where we truly are in our careers. Ask yourself some questions. How well did I respond to all the challenges that this year has brought? How quickly was I able to pivot to still enhance the reading culture at my school? How well did the students respond to the adjustments in the programs and/or lessons? How involved were community members in supporting the work of literacy through the library’s initiatives?
As you ask yourself these questions and more, I offer a few helpful capital expenditures to ponder as you prepare for the summer break. First, do the mental work of reflection. In the haste to close your budget and get to the fun-filled joy of relaxation, one may be tempted to skip this very important step, but it may leave you at a deficit as you begin the next school year. Secondly, do believe people. My grandmother used to say, “actions speak louder than words”. Throughout the school year, you have met and partnered with people who love children and possess earnest money for literacy funds and love to collaborate to help our students’ learning. Focus on those experiences, but do not ignore those others who did not support the library. Think about other ways you may invest in them to reap the dividends, but if they show you it’s not worth the investment, then don’t waste your valuable time because there are some cases where illegal insider trading occurs. The bible says, “shake the dust off your feet” and keep going. Can I get an “Amen, church?” Amen.
Thirdly, do let your voice be heard. Often, we value others' voices above our own and that should not be. You love children. You love literacy. You love your job. Take stock in your value and what your balance scorecard is. Your library program has your own data through your diversification. Feel confident. Fourthly, do honor the leadership’s vision. Whether it's your district’s leaders or your campus’ leaders, be a good follower. As the leader of the library, you must also lead as you follow. Create goals that align with their mission and vision. Study the strategic plan of your leaders. Your daily tasks should be to advance the overall vision; the library has fringe benefits.
Fifthly, do take care of yourself. You should always prioritize your physical and mental well being. Nothing, I mean nothing should come before your peace, not even helping your students. Although your livelihood helps sustain your family, is it worth your life? Find something that regenerates you–yoga, walking, running, reading, or meditation. Pick one or invent another. Do it regularly, not just when you have time. Make the time. You are worth it. Lastly, do find a happy place. This year, like many in education, inflation deepens costs and so finding your happy place is crucial. Your why is your free market and should be grounded in who you are and who you want to be, not who they tell you you are or who you should be, especially if their fiscal policy is not aligned with your market.
As you prepare for the wonders of summertime, remember to take care of yourself. The short summer months allow for regeneration and reflection. Do the work now, so that you can do the real work for your staff and students at the beginning of next school year. If things aren’t adding up during your reflection, then do more work to join an organization that more closely aligns to your values and your professional standards. This past week, I attended a training and the presenter said, “choose your hard”. Every individual makes decisions, hopefully making gains in his or her life for gross profits. Although life is hard, every person has the power to choose other people to help bear the burden. Every person has the intellect to choose strategies to navigate his or her portfolio. Every person has the courage to decide what is and isn’t working and then reinvest. Yes, life is hard, but your options are abundant. Use your power, intellect and heart to make it better. Yes, we are truly thankful that the library in your school’s community is still open and operating as its intended purpose (because all are not), but know that it can not be “libraried” the way you do it without your presence. You are the preferred stock in the library’s economy.
Lighting the way,
Fiya Librarian
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