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Working Knowledge
A Monthly Column about Life on the Job |
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By Mary Pergander
American Libraries Columnist
Mary Pergander is director of the Deerfield (Ill.) Public Library. Send comments or questions to working@ala.org.
Column for August 2006 |
Still Happy After All These Years
In a previous column, I invited lifelong librarians who are still satisfied with their jobs and careers to let me know (AL, May, p. 62). From the responses I received, it is evident there are many long-term librarians who still enjoy their work. They find ways to reenergize every week. They work in urban settings and rural, big libraries and small. Some happily plan to stay right where they are, forever.
What are the elements that contribute to high job and career satisfaction over a lifetime? How do librarians avoid-or get through-burnout? Don't they ever get bored?
First, to encourage you and lift your spirits, here is what they say about their work:
“"I am always discovering something new. That is what keeps me going.”
“I just love the whole profession!”
“Every day it is a blessing to see what will be new that day.”
“I have always loved libraries. I have never stopped.”
You can feel the energy and the passion they have for their work even in just these few statements.
What keeps work fresh?
Renewal, especially daily renewal, was a common theme in the comments received. Librarians who joyfully approach work, even after 30 years in the same job, have discovered how to create newness in every day. They recognize the sometimes subtle differences that make each day unique. For example, reference librarians often pointed out that no two days are alike on the desk. They have a natural curiosity about life and the world around them, and seek to learn something new every day.
• Getting past burnout. Several respondents admitted they had faced burnout at some point in their careers. One common strategy to avoid it was to change jobs within the career. Barbara Aron, currently director of Winnetka-Northfield (Ill.) Public Library District, says, “We need to change jobs at least every 10 years. That is what keeps me excited.” Aron intentionally has worked in many types of libraries in a variety of roles, which continually challenges her to apply what she knows in different settings.
Lourdes Mordini, head of adult services at Waukegan (Ill.) Public Library, says she has never faced burnout. She knew libraries would become her life's work when she came to the United States to attend college in the 1960s and got her first exposure to American public libraries.
Mordini has been a librarian since the 1970s, in school, public, and academic libraries, and enjoys utilizing what she learns in new situations. She also uses her own life experiences to help others. For example, when she joined a library in a community with a high percentage of immigrants, she found real pleasure in introducing them to the concept of public libraries and all that libraries can offer.
• Keeping fresh professionally. It takes effort not to rust in place. Mordini says she reads lots of professional literature, and attends many professional meetings to stay current. This gives her fresh ideas when facing new challenges.
Aron encourages us to “be open to all the new technologies.” She often inspires those around her with her enthusiastic approach to trying everything that comes along.
• Taking it outside. Changing scenery offers new options as well as renewal. Aron expands the job by getting out of the library and into the community. As she recommends, “Be the face of the library by participating in local organizations.”
Unintended consequences?
Long-term career satisfaction may have a consequence, too. I strongly suspect that the continuing satisfaction found in the work itself, and the professional relationships we form with others, are keeping many lifelong librarians working happily. This is in contradiction to those futurists who predicted mass retirements. All of this is due to our ability to rediscover joy in our work on a daily basis!
WORKING WISDOM
Bringing the lessons home
How can you help your chances of being one of the lucky ones? It starts with attitude—and taking the long view.
Mordini urges others to “see things as challenges, not as problems. Think: How can you do it better? Also, stay in touch with changes by staying a step ahead.”
(c) Copyright 2006 American Library Association
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