NMRT Notes

By Jamie Kurumaji

I have enjoyed the recent topic on imposter syndrome on the NMRT Connect online discussion feed. When it comes to imposter syndrome, it can easily feel that you are alone with those feelings so reading over those that shared their thoughts and experiences was a good reminder that you aren’t alone. I’m not sure if those anxious feelings of self-doubt, questions about yourself, and questions of belonging ever go away. I think they can easily arise at any moment in one’s personal and professional career, from library school to library workers with over 20 years of experience.

This conversation made me reflect upon my experiences with imposter syndrome. I’ve been a librarian for five years now, all in public libraries. I’m currently even a supervisor and overseeing five branches.  I’ve sat on my share of committees and have had several opportunities to be involved in some fantastic things. But the thoughts still cross my mind that I don’t belong here.  I’ve asked myself if I was qualified to do this job, doubted my knowledge because others had been doing it longer, and just overall was unsure of the kind of job I was doing. With each year in this field, I’ve grown and remind myself that this is, unapologetically, exactly where I belong. 

One of the larger contributions to this change in my mindset has been on building up my library family and library network. I know it is a privilege to become members of the numerous library organizations and round tables, so after library school, I was very intentional about the organizations that I became a member of. I joined both the New Members Round Table and the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association. It wasn’t until I became more active by volunteering on a committee that I saw how important and valuable networking with other library staff and librarians could be. I got so much more out of the committee than the experience of being on it. While volunteering on NMRT or other library groups is important to your experience, the connections you have the chance to make is something that should be taken advantage of. 

For moments where you have felt your place isn’t valid or you feel inadequate, having that library family for support is immeasurable. Just recently I was invited to participate in a panel discussion, as well as moderate a few small group discussions. What came about immediately?  The usual questions of self-doubt: I don’t have enough experience, why would I be any good at this, does my opinion really matter?  I asked my library family their opinions on my participation and just as I have always been there for them, I received that same encouragement. 

If committee work or even if joining any of the library-related organizations just isn’t for you right now, I would definitely encourage saying yes to being mentored by another. I’ve had informal mentors in my own library organization and have taken part in mentorship programs. NMRT, along with many other groups, have mentoring programs that can provide great insights in whatever stage of your career or graduate school life you may currently be in. They can help build a network and introduce to you other like-minded individuals. I have been so fortunate to connect with the individuals that I know through a mentorship program and in committee work.  While the feelings of imposter syndrome can be difficult at times, knowing that you’re not alone can make the world of a difference. 

Maria Lagasca, MLIS

Dauphin County Library System, Library Manager

Mlagasca@dcls.org

The discussion for this month focuses on the importance of promoting librarianship as a career path. The topic was brought about due to fact that the notion of wanting to becoming a librarian is now rarely expressed, especially in the younger generation.   

When was the last time one heard someone say, “I want to be a librarian?”  My elementary school days featured trips to the school library and local libraries, often meeting the librarians and becoming aware of all their tasks and responsibilities.  Given these memories were more than a decade ago and given the changes the library profession has experienced; it might be time to reconsider the need to improve how librarians and libraries promote librarianship as a career path. For instance, look at a local library website and see if the role of librarians is defined? If the role is defined, is the language simplified?  While this discussion provided answers to how librarians can better promote their careers, this discussion also highlighted some underlying reasons for the sudden decline in promoting librarianship. Furthermore, the discussion revealed a key fact often overlooked by other professionals: librarians are multitalented, often having transferrable skills to lead in other employment fields.  

Do you want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, and librarian? 

Speaking from personal experience, my parents pushed two career choices. I was either going to be a lawyer or a doctor.  In the past, I thought this push for two money making careers was only common in Asian households. However, this was not the case, some of my friends endured the same push and some are now actual doctors and lawyers. Since elementary school, I have always wanted to be a teacher or librarian. Librarian became the official dream when I realized my university offered a graduate program.  According to some librarians in the discussion, the reason they chose to become a librarian at a later point in their life was because no one offered the choice of becoming a librarian. I cannot recall one time where someone offered me the choice of becoming a librarian and if it was offered, it was offered indirectly, with a brochure.  If children and teens are having to wait until college to learn of librarianship, this could prove to be damaging for all libraries.  Additionally, while many children and teens can experience libraries, many are unaware of the career path, the servitude to something greater than oneself and the pledge for equity. 

We are humans before we are gods 

This discussion revealed several ways librarians can improve promoting librarianship. First, one librarian in the discussion mentioned the need to “demystify” and “remove the vocational awe” that comes with being a librarian.  While its amusing to think of librarians as untouchables or God-like beings filled with all the knowledge in the world, this thought also evokes tall hills to climb and pain staking treks only people with super human strength and endurance can overcome. The mystified awe also overshadows the notion that most librarians are grounded to not books, catalogs, or spreading good will, but to humanity.  Thus, librarians are more human than God-like and for other humans who wish to share their dedication to humanity, this outlook appears more touchable. While many view librarians as God-like beings, many are also unaware of all the tasks librarians complete and all the responsibilities librarians hold. One librarian in the discussion recommended the need to tell people exactly what librarians are doing. A good place to start is on social media.  Another suggestion is to reintroduce field trips to local libraries and for libraries to create formal job shadowing programs for all ages. Lastly, public libraries should also consider defining the librarian role of their websites.

Multi-talented Humans 

Though librarians may not be mythical beings, they are multi-talented, often coming from other career fields. For example, one librarian in the discussion was a travel agent prior to becoming a librarian and another librarian was also a teacher. I have known librarians who were first preachers, bakers, social workers, counselors, musicians, and bartenders.  While librarians have a variety of backgrounds and skills, librarians who chose to become librarians also have plenty of skills to offer other career fields. Many of the skills librarians learn on the job such as cataloging, project management, leadership, customer service, and public relations are all beneficial to other industries.  

Given the ever-evolving role of librarians and the need for more funding, it seems promoting librarianship as a career path is ever more important.  Librarians must continue to seek the best candidates and this begins promoting the field to the younger generation. Rather than push for librarianship, librarians and other school professionals should present librarianship as option. In return, libraries should keep their options open as many aspiring librarians are also unconventional dreamers, who in turn, serve as the guide for everyday dreamers.