In just a couple of days, many of us will be obtaining that coveted degree that will enable us to gain a professional position, earn more money, or strive for greater authority.
We all have roles to fulfill whether as teacher, researcher, or manager. Academic librarians meet the needs of our scholars, archivists preserve the records of our past, school librarians shape the future of our children, and public librarians come face to face with our chaotic society. In the spring, I often heard on the radio the graduation speech set to music that begins with "Wear sunscreen." I stopped what I was doing every time I heard it and thought about what the writer was suggesting. Here are some life tips for after graduation from some of the students here at DLIS:
*Know your strengths and weaknesses, just make sure your weaknesses
sound like strengths
*Remember that the minute after you throw something away, a patron is
going to come ask for it
*Don't forget those with whom you graduated. Make an effort to keep in
touch. Besides companionship, these individuals can offer much needed
advice and information later in your career.
*55% of reference questions may be answered incorrectly, but was the
right question asked?
*Don't blame yourself when a patron gets irate, some people just wake up
that way everyday.
*Remember the patron who thanked you for your help, not the one that hung
up on you.
*We live in a crazy world, keep a sense of humor.
In his play, Othello, Shakespeare said "We cannot all be masters." That's true, but I'm happy to say that come Monday, forty-eight of us will be Masters.
One last helpful hint: Should anyone come up to you at the library and ask "Do you have books here?", just take a deep breath, smile, and say "Yes."