One morning, last Spring semester, I decided to list what I was doing over a three-hour period. Here’s what I managed to track:

1. Helped 3 students with the software Illuminate
2. Helped 4 students with Chromebook problems – fixed 2, put in tickets for 2, and gave one a replacement to use.
3. Worked with the principal’s secretary on new software to do the electronic announcement board. I learned the software and taught her how to use it.
4. Monitored the library – over 80 students on passes, not counting the ones with Chromebook/software issues and those with teachers.
5. Answered and wrote 45 emails. (I just had to count!)
6. Scanned a Chromebook that had been missing into a different database and printed new labels that the students removed.
7. Helped a class find books in one case walking up and down the stacks and talking about various plots that interested a student until she settled on two books to look through.
8. Restocked the paper for the copier.
9. Helped students with printing and making change.
10. Spoke to the IT person about the problem with Chromebooks.
11. Called 2 students to get their repaired Chromebooks after looking up their schedules.

When I review the list, it may sound like I do the technology job with a side of library work. But that would be false. First, all of the tasks may fall under my job description. Second, I did not assign time to each task. Do not let sheer numbers or lists override the time spent doing a job. When a class came in and I needed to help some of the students find a book, it was time-intensive. Can you walk up and down a library stack and describe a book on each shelf? After seven years in this one library, I am fairly confident I can or at least come close. I have not read every book. But if I bought a book in the past seven years, I read at least one review, usually two or more, before purchase. I handle the books and I work at knowing my collection. Essentially, I spend a lot of time perfecting my librarianship skills in and out of school time.

Let’s look at the technology side. I do not distribute Chromebooks (yeah!!), but I support both our Chromebook distributor and IT technician. I have a technical background. Being capable of stepping into a support role is both familiar and easy. I do not personally work hard on the technology side, but it can be time-consuming. At this point, I can repair (usually with a hard reset or reboot) while talking about books to other students. Multitasking is the way to go!

On this particular day last school year, I did not have an assistant, nor was I teaching a class. This year, I have a full-time assistant (hurrah!) and teach several classes, though the days and timing vary greatly. Most of my teaching are mini-lessons, supplementing a teacher’s lesson plan which means I can go to their class and leave in 15-20 minutes. Or they can join me in the library’s teaching space and stay when I am done. If I leave the room, I usually return to a set of post-its asking me to call various people. If I teach in the room, I head back to the circulation desk and the students and teachers waiting.

Sometimes, I think my position is a lot like a great white shark who moves even in their sleep to keep from suffocating. I am in constant motion because if I slow down or stop, I may not be able move again. And, I need to know what is happening in the large space. When I monitor the library, I cannot just stand at the circulation desk. I need to move, answer questions, provide directions, and keep the circulation desk always in sight, in case someone needs me there.

(Side note: I used Canva’s AI Image Generator to create the post image. I lost an hour playing with it. Maybe the real key to doing this job is non-stop curiosity and joy.)

APA Citation: Note. Image generated using the prompt “Great white shark as a female school librarian,” by Canva.com, 2024 (http://canva.com).