The decision to become a librarian was probably the easiest decision I have ever made. For as long as I can remember, I have loved books, reading, and libraries. Public libraries have always been my safe haven, so there was no question that I would work in a public library. However, there were no black librarians in my community. How was I even sure that black librarians existed? I wasn’t, but I knew that being in a library and connecting books with readers was where I wanted to be. Representation matters, whether that be librarians of color, young or young-at-heart librarians, or LGBTQ librarians. We are meant to reflect our patrons. They feel more comfortable in a library where they know someone will understand them. At San Jose State University, I purposefully chose courses that would help me understand and assist patrons of varying backgrounds. I took a course on young adult services. I wanted to have a theoretical foundation upon which to build a knowledge base for a future in young adult services. I was able to take a course on services to the LGBTQ community. I did it for me and every LGBTQ person that has ever felt unwelcome in the library for any reason. I became a librarian to promote literacy in all forms. I honed my skills in book recommendation by taking a course on readers’ advisory. I stretched myself by reading outside of my preferred genres and even into non-fiction. I am inspired to continue reading outside of my comfort zone, especially nonfiction, to better understand the appeal and to better evaluate titles. I learned that some people are not readers. They turn to visual media to encounter differing viewpoints and create meaning in the world.I became a librarian to champion intellectual freedom. It is not my duty as a librarian to police what others are reading or not reading. My only duty is to allow readers and non-readers the space to explore and come to their own understandings of the world.
Listed skills include Microsoft Excel, Data Entry, Administrative Assistants, Microsoft Word, and 15 others.