So I Quit My Job and….

I have been a bit MIA from blogging this month, because I’m enjoying my time off between award committees, but I also am adjusting to a major change in life. At the beginning of January, I quit my job as a children’s librarian at the public library and have moved to be a school librarian at an elementary school. I’m still in DC, still a government employee, but now when it’s 4:45PM, you can find me in and exercise class instead of finally sitting down for lunch.

I went from doing huge programs, including an 80+ person story time with a craft afterwards, and managing a collection all while working with coworkers and on nights and weekends to being the sole person in charge of a school library, teaching 20 classes a week, each for 45 mintues, coming up with my own curriculum, and ENJOYING NOT WORKING ON WEEKENDS or after 3:30PM. It’s been a HUGE change and a lot of work to get things back up and working in the school library after the previous librarian left in late September, but I am loving this change.

I have a lot of little and big reasons for why I chose to leave the public library when I did, but I am so excited for this next adventure. The school is such a different environment. Physically what is expected of me is different–the classes come to me at a set time every week. No more worrying about promoting a program or craft that maybe no one comes to. I miss having little babies, but I have been so welcomed by the school community. Parents stop me outside at dismissal and tell me how excited they are to have a librarian again. Teachers tell me how much they love bringing their class to see me. I get to make my own rules, kind of, and set the tone for what these kids are experiencing in the library, and that’s really cool.

The first month, I’ve focused on getting things back in order (if you want to come help me re-shelve in nonfiction, lemme know) and making lessons, introducing them to the library, doing read-alouds, cutting 300+ pieces for our first book-related craft project, and I cannot wait to share with you all what I’m up to throughout the year. I am working on an article on what aspects of children’s librarianship I’m bringing into the school library with me–but in the meantime, I am letting my extracurriculars like DAR dominate my weekends, still reviewing for Booklist and School Library Journal, and preparing for my 2025 committee assignment….

SERVING ON THE CALDECOTT COMMITTEE. It’s truly a dream come true to be one of the FIFTEEN PEOPLE in the whole world helping name the best picture book of the year. ALSC has truly become a professional home for me, and I know that no matter what library I call home, ALSC is going to be there to support me and champion my work and allow me to flourish and grow.

I can’t wait to see what else this year holds.