Has kinda a nice ring to it, huh?
The reason it sounds good, and what I envision, is a job that helps get information to people in the quickest, easiest way. Information is the great equalizer. The thing I love is that in Libraries, anyone can access information- it doesn’t matter how rich you are, or how outgoing. You just have to ask. And the more information all of us have, the better we can fight for what’s ours. A library can really be a place for social change, the same way the Internet can- give people the information, let them figure out what to do with it.
That said, I don’t really want to work on the front end of things. I wouldn’t mind doing so for a few hours a week, which is what they seem to do here- just rotate out people so no one has to work the desk too often. What I really want to do is work in a department like the one I work in now- one that starts digital projects, indexes, new ways to search previously unavailable information.
It would be nice if I could find a niche in which I could specialize in art historical matters- that would be ideal. But I’m interested in a lot of things, it doesn’t have to be about art.
I used to want to be a graphic designer, but I’ve realized that I don’t want to come up with designs for other people all day. I want to keep my creativity mostly for myself. The other thing I realized is that I’m more creative when my brain is engaged – when I’m actively learning something I enjoy.
Anyway, I met with a woman from UNO who coordinates the program offered there, which is through the University of Missouri. It really sounds ideal – I could start this winter, not enrolled as a Missouri student, but taking a couple of classes at UNO that would transfer to Missouri. I can’t actually enroll until I take the GRE, which is this October. But the UNO classes would be free, thanks to the university scholarship, and The woman said that once I get into the program, there is a lot of scholarship money available, so it probably won’t cost that much. Plus, I can take classes at my own pace- I can take 2 classes at a time, or just one, whatever. If I take 2 at a time, it’ll take a little over 2 years to graduate, which isn’t so bad. I can keep my full time job.
For years it seemed like no matter what I did, I just couldn’t get a handle on what I should be doing. I’ve been lost. I can’t really say what changed – I really only applied for my current Library Assistant Job on a whim, and I was shocked when I got it. But I like it, and I think I’m good at it. If I believed in God, I would say I’m being led, but I don’t, and so I just feel incredibly lucky.
I guess sometimes you just need to try something new, and see if it’s a good fit.