My goal as a librarian has always been to provide patrons with information that changes their lives in their moment of need. That may sound dramatic, but I’ve seen it happen enough times to know. I believe in our ability to use little moments to enact life-changing impacts. Printing a patron’s resume might finalize the interview for their dream job. Directing a caregiver to the right storytime might introduce their little one to a lifetime love of books. Helping an avid reader find their next book might inspire a new reading journey. These little moments, easily overlooked, have great impacts. They repeatedly and consistently prove the value of libraries, yet often start with something as small as a whispered question. Let me tell you a story of our impact in action.
A Shy Question with a Big Impact
Picture the inside of a library on a warm afternoon. Quiet conversations fill the air; pages rustle. Then, footsteps approach. A little girl, around six years old, approaches the desk and hesitates. She glances back at her mom. Finally, she looks up at me, her voice barely above a whisper. “Can you help me find a book?”
I match her quiet tone. “I’d be happy to. What kind of book would you like to find?”
She looks down, then up, gathering her courage. Still softly, she replies, “I want a book about space.”
“I can help with that. Do you want a book with facts about space? Or stories that take place in space?”
She’s a little louder this time. “I want facts about space.”
I nod. “We have lots of nonfiction books about space with cool facts. Do you want books about the moon and planets? Or would you like to learn about astronauts and rockets?”
A change starts. Now, she replies with growing confidence. “I want books about the moon. And maybe the stars.”
How We Discovered the Moon and Stars
Books line the shelves in children’s nonfiction. Their covers face out, showing pictures of the moon, stars, and different planets.
I kneel beside the little girl and point. “This section is where we keep books about space. On this shelf, you’ll find books about the moon and stars. Next, you’ll find books about planets. Then, over here, you’ll find books about rockets and space travel.”
Her eyes light up. She begins pulling books from the shelf excitedly. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome! If you need more help, I’ll be back at the desk.” I turn to her mom. “If you don’t find the books you’re looking for today, we can always place holds on titles from our other branches. Then, you can pick them up here when they’re available.”
It’s a moment I’ve seen a hundred times: helping someone find what they need and then moving on. I don’t consider the impact. It’s important, but also so routine. At least, that’s what I thought.
Practicing Courage: How a Child Found Her Voice
The next day, I’m back in the children’s area. I tidy the shelves and clean the play area. Yesterday’s mom approaches, although I don’t recognize her immediately.
She smiles, surprised, delighted, or maybe both. “Hello! I’m so glad I saw you. I just wanted to thank you. Yesterday,” she pauses, gathering her emotions. Then, “Well, I just wanted you to know that you made a difference for my daughter.”
I search my mental catalog but come up short. “You’re welcome.”
She nods. “Yes, you helped her find books about space. It meant so much to her.”
With that, the light clicks on. I instantly remember. Was the impact more than I thought?
She continues with her description. “We had just finished reading Mae Among the Stars together. We also checked out the Preschool Space STEAM Kit. My daughter wanted to learn more about space, just like Mae.”
I can picture them cuddled up on the couch, the book between them.
“She wanted to ask a librarian for help, just like Mae. But my daughter is a little shy, so we practiced together. We talked about asking for help. We worked through how it might feel scary. It helped her know what to expect. When you worked with her and walked her to the books, it thrilled her to find the right section and explore independently. Thank you so much for taking the time with her!”
The Lasting Impact of Library Work
After our conversation ends, I reflect on the story. A little girl was shy, but she practiced. She came in, asked for help, and realized the library wasn’t scary! It was a tiny moment that didn’t feel like much, but it was life-changing for her. That’s the magic of this work. Little moments make a big difference. How many lives have we touched without knowing? How many futures change with those whispered questions at the desk?
Our library work matters, even the parts that feel routine. Every day, library staff create life-changing moments. For more inspiration, check out this post on our impact and significance or this post on reflective assessment. What quiet moment reminds you that your library work matters? Share your story in the comments or with a colleague – because the little things aren’t little at all.
This post addresses ALSC Core Competency #2: Reference and User Services. All photos provided by Jaime Eastman, ALSC member. STEAM kit photo courtesy of Plano Public Library.
Jaime Eastman is a senior Public Services Librarian and Early Learning Coordinator at the Harrington Library, one of the Plano (Texas) Public Library locations. She’s currently serving as a member of the ALSC Board of Directors. Jaime is also working on at least two ambitious cross-stitch projects, dreaming of future travel plans, and reading far too many books. As a child, she wanted to grow up to be an author. Writing for the blog and publishing with Children and Libraries feels like a good start, and she regrets nothing about her adult decision to be a librarian doing storytimes, who didn’t have to grow up too much.
The post From Shy Questions to Starry Dreams: Libraries Impact Lives appeared first on ALSC Blog.
My goal as a librarian has always been to provide patrons with information that changes their lives in their moment of need. That may sound dramatic, but I’ve seen it happen enough times to know. I believe in our ability to use little moments to enact life-changing impacts. Printing a patron’s resume might finalize the interview for their dream job. Directing a caregiver to the right storytime might introduce their little one to a lifetime love of books. Helping an avid reader find their next book might inspire a new reading journey. These little moments, easily overlooked, have great impacts. They repeatedly and consistently prove the value of libraries, yet often start with something as small as a whispered question. Let me tell you a story of our impact in action. A Shy Question with a Big Impact Picture the inside of a library on a warm afternoon. Quiet conversations…
The post From Shy Questions to Starry Dreams: Libraries Impact Lives appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More
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