Thoughts for the New Librarian

Abstract

After spending over a decade as a public-school educator and subsequent time as an administrative assistant, I embarked on what is essentially my third career as a librarian. Since being hired at an academic library in the summer of 2021, I have–for the most part–settled into my role as Instructional Librarian for Distance and Online Learning. At an age where most librarians are starting to eye the exit, I am “learning the ropes.” After a year, I still have a lot to learn; however, there are some areas where I believe I can offer insights for those just entering the profession. In this column, I will offer three pointers for how to make a new librarian’s first year less overwhelming.