The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history.– Carl T. Rowan

A student once told Emily that if he had her job, he would kill himself.  I always laugh when I remember that because to me, working in the library is the best job in the world. For the person who loves reading and learning new things, the library is the perfect place to work. Here are some of the activities we do on a daily basis:

• Help students with research projects but never have to grade any.
• Spend time researching topics with students and for faculty.
• Investigate new books and databases to add to the library.
• Keep up to date on technology that is now the mainstay of libraries.
• Make exhibits so that students and faculty know what the library has to offer.
• Develop web pages for the library website.

All of these are very meaningful, but helping students has to be the most rewarding part of the job. Students often come in unclear about how to start a research project. We help them see that there’s nothing mysterious or even hard about the process of finding sources. It’s wonderful to see the fear disappear from their expressions as they realize they can handle the assignment. And it’s even better when students come back later to tell us that we helped them.

For me, the library was the place that opened up a door to different ways of thinking and  living. And I’m proud to be a small part of the tradition that provides that opportunity to others.