Why is professional identity important to you? For me, it helps to develop career goals, pursue professional development opportunities, and build confidence in the professional expertise I have to offer students, faculty, and library staff. As part of my professional identity, I no longer identify as an early-career librarian. If I had to pinpoint when this happened, it was around the five-year mark working as a librarian, which was earlier this year.
I was a member of our library’s community of practice for new librarians and archivists. A year ago, I stopped attending meetings, not because I don’t love talking about issues relevant for new librarians, but because I don’t feel “new.” (There’s also a suggestion in the terms of reference that ‘new’ librarians are five years and earlier into their careers).
And again, earlier in the year, there was a call for a summer research institute that caught my eye. When I read about the intended audience, it was for LIS students and early-career academic librarians, to move their research forward. Research is something I feel passionate about so I was still interested. But as someone on the cusp of leaving early-career librarianship, I didn’t want to apply and then take a spot from a student or someone who does identify as early-career. In the end, I emailed the facilitators, explained my situation, and was able to take part.
I’m currently on my first research leave, which has given me the space to reflect on my career. I’ve written before on feeling like a work-in-progress, and I think this is an important way of thinking as of course I’ll never truly know everything there is to know about academic librarianship. Like many librarians I know, continual learning is a big part of our careers; we’re curious and interested in learning. But what comes with time and experience is the confidence and expertise to perform our jobs at a higher level.
Rather than focusing on specific skills I want to develop, or situations where I thought I could improve my service, I’m thinking of a bigger picture. To bring up the building metaphor again, I’m thinking in terms of structural integrity, not just individual bricks. I’m thinking of how to sustain myself in a profession that has librarians burning out, so that I can continue to provide library services to my patrons.
As part of this bigger picture, I think about what I still want to accomplish throughout my career. The Hockey Hall of Fame has a category for ‘Builders:’ that is, individuals who have contributed to the game of hockey, beyond playing or officiating. I want to grow in the profession, but I also want to help grow the profession; like Glen Sather or Bud Poile before me, I want to be successful in both playing and building.
With all that’s going on at home and abroad, at times I find it helpful to focus inward, and spend time thinking about not only my own career, but how I can help others in the months and years to come.
This is just one milestone in a much longer journey. I’m able to think of myself moving from Apprentice to Journeyman. As a journeyman, I’m still on a journey to truly master librarianship—if that’s even possible. I’m thankful to all who’ve helped me along the way. And above all, I’m grateful to have found a permanent job as an academic librarian. Step-by-step and brick-by-brick, I’m building my career as an academic librarian.