The Friday Follow-up: Youth Services Librarians are Ones to Remember

Friday Follow-up:
a message from Brian M. Hildreth, STLS Executive Director
 

Youth Services Librarians Are Ones to Remember
Librarians from across STLS convened for a day of learning and sharing during the 2017 summer learning workshop last week. Additional photos on our Facebook Page.
 

 

There are certain people we will always remember. It is likely we remember a childhood best friend, a favorite teacher, a comical grandfather, a boring college professor or a terrible boss. Each person is etched in our memories because of their great strengths or embarrassing weaknesses. Either good or bad, each one has impacted us in some way.

 

There is another person whom we all might remember. People will often tell me about their favorite librarians. Some people will talk about their children’s librarian who read stories, or their high school librarian who provided a safe place to hangout. Others will highlight their college librarian who identified much needed resources at late night hours. Many times, library trustees or community members will tell me about their favorite STLS member librarians. I love to hear these stories!

 

I think this is something worth mentioning. I know we all connect with the work we do. Librarianship can be somewhat self-serving. I have yet to feel bad about declaring to the world I am a librarian. I feel good about it all the time. But, I also think it is important to recognize the role we play. Every human transaction we have on the library floor or within the board room reflects upon our field as a whole.

 

I took great comfort last week as I witnessed STLS youth services librarians participate in the 2017 summer learning workshop. Although I couldn’t involve myself in all the learning, I did get to see many of our librarians gearing-up for what can be the busiest time of year. The workshop is consistently well-attended from one year to the next.

 

This week I would like to express gratitude for the role youth services librarians play in developing public libraries. Early learning is at the core of Southern Tier libraries. There are very few member libraries that do not offer some type of literacy-based engagement for our youngest patrons. It is our youth services librarians who are forming the foundation for life-long learning. More importantly they are crafting the base for adult library users.

 

I want to thank everyone who took time to facilitate and/or participate in last week’s workshop. I know many of the librarians who were in attendance will be the same people our community members come to remember far into the future.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and efforts! Have a great weekend, STLS.

 

Kindest Regards,

Brian Hildreth, Executive Director
Southern Tier Library System

Read past Friday Follow-ups: http://www.stls.org/blog

Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner