I just spent the last week in Logan, Utah for a School Library Media practicum to finish up my minor. Wow. That was really interesting. Some days were boring, some were hard work, and some were fun, but I finally met most of the the classmates and teachers with whom I have worked since last fall. I even got my first taste of college life!
So for any of you who want to know what school libraries are all about, I learned that it's all about the people. Sure, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes (and I mean A LOT of work!) to make a library accessible, functional, and attractive, but it's really all about the patrons. The goal of a good school librarian is to connect with students and to create a safe environment in which kids can tap their creativity and interest and curiosity. Ideally, it is a place that kids can also get away from the testing. Granted, kids also have to take tests in the school library because it is also called the school library media center (meaning it has computers), but you know those books that libraries are known for? They are there for patrons. I even saw an early edition of The Jungle Book shelved in one of the middle schools we visited. Isn't that awesome? Well, okay, I wouldn't read it because it's old and I'd freak out about maybe damaging it, but still.
And the libraries are so different. Every single one we visited was so very different from the others, and it really came down to the librarians. One high school librarian had blue streaks in her silver hair. A public school librarian had us figure out how to circulate paddle boards. Another librarian showed us the wonder of book labeling to help patrons find the books that match their interests. I really want to label all of the things in my personal library now! I thought it was all just so fun (except for the extensive tours of the databases, which I don't know if I will ever actually get to use).
What it made me realize is that there are so many facets to book/media production. I am really, really interested in book production especially. Can you imagine the work that goes into writing, editing, designing, producing, marketing, selling, buying, cataloging, and sharing a single work? Doesn't it blow your mind that we have so many things readily available? It's worth thinking about.
