Instead of a New Year’s Resolution, for the past 10 years, I have picked #oneword to focus on throughout the year. Sometimes, like resolutions, the word is pushed to the side. Other years, the word helps keep me on my path. The #oneword for 2025 was evolve – to develop or work out something new. I pushed my comfort zones this past year. I ran for an office with the American Library Association and lost. But just putting myself out there was an experience. I joined protests and spoke to law makers about issues. Again, not at all where I saw myself five years ago, but something I felt I had to take responsibility for. I looked to evolve several times and it kept me on track.

As I inch closer to retiring from teaching public school (not this school year), I wonder, as I have my whole life, what’s next? Or, again as I’ve always asked, what will I be when I grow up? To help me focus on next stages, I choose the word “launch”.

From Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, I love the imagery of “launch.” 🚀 It means to hurl into something energetically. It also means to initiate something and to get off to a good start.

So this coming year, I will continue to look for opportunities to share, present, and push myself into uncomfortable conversations to make sure the value of libraries and librarians is shared. I will push for notice and change. I will work with my librarian colleagues (school, public, and academic) to build stronger programs. I will enthusiastically drag my students and teachers with me exploring better ways to help them with learning, research, and, of course, finding the perfect book.

Reference:

“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

Past Onewords:

• 2025: Evolve
• 2024: Fulfilling
• 2023: Experiment
• 2022: Aspire
• 2021: Family
• 2020: Explore
• 2019: Flux
• 2018: Communicate
• 2017: Move
• 2016: Try