A couple recent conversations with different colleagues has inspired a patented Headtale listicle…namely, what are some things that make a good library worker?
1. Someone who grew up listening to/playing/being part of the punk rock scene. *Every* person I know who fits this description has been an *amazing* library worker.
2. Someone who grew up with a parent who was a nurse (full disclosure: my mom was a nurse so I’m biased on this one. But I know others who fit this description who are excellent too!)
3. People who had a low-paying retail job, preferably in food services, as their first job.
4. People who have traveled internationally.
5. People who have worked in nonprofit organizations, bonus points if it was a social services agency.
6. This one goes without saying but is surprisingly not as common as you’d think among library workers – people who read a lot *and* read widely.
7. People who didn’t have a lot of money growing up.
8. For lack of a better term, people who have a “zen” personality.
9. People who are genuinely kind.
10. People who have kids.
Disclaimer: this list is not exhaustive by any stretch, correlation is not causation, etc. etc. Some of these things may also make someone a bad library worker. But these are just a few of my own observations which may or may not hold true in all cases, your mileage may vary, etc. etc. 😉
(Oh, and to show I’m not writing this as some sort of way to pat myself on the back, I only score 5/10 out of the things on this list meaning I’m probably not a great library worker by my own definition!)
Post a Comment