Letter from the Director 9/5/2024
The first of this month was the 20th anniversary of my journey as the Antlers Library director.
I did not start this job as a classically trained librarian. My English and Computer Science teaching degree certainly gave me a good foundation. My Master’s degree in Communication and Information Technology, although not an MLIS, paralleled it on many levels. The expectation to learn more about reading, literacy, and books was a given. I even knew Dewey and genres would be in there somewhere. But wait, there are wayfinding, signage, policies and best practices, management, Erate, and grants. I never expected that I would continually need to research so many topics: topics on human resources, sensory toys, health literacy, technology, homeschooling, digital design, Robert’s Rules, Excel graphs, manga, survival skills. The list goes on (and on).
I’ve attended hundreds of community events and meetings and worked with almost every town group. Dressed up, down, and in costume. I have met with politicians, business owners, teachers, and tragedy survivors. I honestly didn’t know how many hats I would wear on this journey.
But I didn’t do it alone.
Thank you to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries for holding my hand and training me on all things “librarian.” Thank you to the City of Antlers, which has funded and supported the library through good and bad years. Thank you to the many clerks, librarians, board members, program leaders, and community members who have worked with me over the years to make the library THE place to be.
Thank you, especially to my husband, for supporting me in times of stress and too few resources and for understanding that the money you make is not everything. Being a small-town librarian is like being a missionary. There is too little pay and resources, and occasionally, hostile environments. Like a missionary, though, I can say that the more significant portion of my compensation comes from the satisfaction of service and, hopefully, making a difference.
Here’s to many more years on this lovely, strange, satisfying journey.