Above a great many things, I believe in the power of stories. Stories in all forms, stories we see ourselves in, and stories that help us understand the world and its people just a little more. As a child, I was surrounded by adults who empowered me to believe in myself through their unwavering belief in me and all that I could achieve. My parents helped me understand the power of my voice and instilled values that have helped shape the person I am today. Values such as treating all people with kindness and respect, helping others when they need it, to always hunger for knowledge in order to think for myself, and that being humble, honest, and compassionate are strengths. Because of this, I was able to find my story in a way that gives my life meaning. I grew into a confident adult who cherishes relationships, believes in the strength of my character, and is always thirsty to learn more about the world through the stories of others.
As a burgeoning professional who wants to work with children and teens in the library, I recognize many of the ways my instilled values align with the American Library Association’s (ALA’s) Core Values of Librarianship (2019). Though all are critical, social responsibility, diversity, and the public good (American Library Association, 2019) resonate with me and what I hope to achieve in my chosen career path. Children and teens need caring, thoughtful adults who empower them by listening, understanding their words, and helping them get to where they want to go, in their own stories and in their lives. Libraries that provide a safe, welcoming space, a diverse and representative collection, tools for tinkering and exploration, quality digital media fostering multiple literacies that allow for effective digital participation, programs that engage and inspire, and practices that are transparent and open to constructive critique all contribute to the development of the whole person. Empowered children and teens become confident, capable adults and I understand first-hand how meaningful this is.
I believe in using information to push back against systems of structural oppression and to recognize where barriers, physical and intangible, exist in order to understand and remove them. I also believe in using information to not only empower our community, but also ourselves as we continue to learn new ideas, understand more about each other, and construct our own stories. An empowered community is one of collaboration and partnership, drawing strength and resilience through holistic, empathetic practices that nurture the whole person, the whole family, and the whole community. Finally, I believe that my place in this narrative is to serve and advocate for children, teens, and my community by using my knowledge and values to help everyone find their own story, the one that gives their lives the meaning and fulfilment they desire.
References
American Library Association. (2019). Core values of librarianship. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/corevalues