You Know What TLT Needs? A School Librarian!! Introducing our new co-blogger Robin Willis
Our mission is libraries and teen services, but TLT is very public librarian heavy. Christie and I, although awesome, work for the same library system here in Texas. Heather works at a public library in Illinois. And Stephanie works in Louisiana. She also just had a baby, she is blogging less and changing a ton of diapers (and sewing). I have been wanting to talk more about school librarianship for a while now, but have to admit that I am not really qualified. BUT, I talk often online with Robin Willis. She is a school librarian, and an awesome one. So I am very excited to introduce her to you here today. She will be bringing in a MG and younger YA focus for us here at TLT. She’ll give us some insight into school librarianship. And she will be doing a weekly link roundup for us on Fridays. She is passionate about books, reading, tweens and teens and libraries. Basically, she was born to join us here at TLT. So, let’s meet her, shall we? 1) Share your background and experience with us. How long have you been a librarian? Have you always been a school librarian?
Twenty + years ago, I graduated from college with a degree in Religion and absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Growing up, I’d never had any particular career ambition – I was too busy reading. I happened to visit a friend who had gone straight from college to Library School, and it was a revelation. Of course! Of course this is what I should do with my life. Looking back, I was remarkably clueless. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science in 1993 into a horrible job market. It took two years for me to find a library position in a small elementary school in Durham, NC. I spent the first three years of my career there, working with students living in abject poverty, in a school system in constant turmoil. It was difficult but rewarding work, and it showed me where I really wanted to go – middle school.
I’ve always enjoyed middle school students. Yes, my friends think I’m crazy. I was finally able to find a position in a middle school in Garner, NC, where I worked for 5 years. Then I was given the opportunity to transfer to a middle school in Raleigh, NC, where I have worked for the last 10 years.
2) What are your top 5 favorite reads?
Aaaah, so hard! Can I list my favorite authors instead?
I will forever read anything written by Jasper Fforde, and was so excited when he started his YA series The Last Dragonslayer. I’ve been to see him all three times he’s come to speak at my local book store. I’m a bit of an author groupie…
Some other authors I love include: Libba Bray, Holly Black, Shannon Hale, Rebecca Stead, Lish McBride, David Levithan, Rachel Hawkins, Ally Carter, and Sarah Rees Brennan. That’s not nearly all, but I think I should stop there or I might go on all day.
3) What do you think are the rewards/challenges of being a school librarian?
By far, I think the biggest challenge of being a school librarian is helping people understand exactly why you’re there. It can be difficult working for an organization where you are the only person in the building who knows what you are there to do. The other challenges are not so different from those faced by other libraries: falling budgets, diminished staff, the expectation of continually doing more with less.
The biggest reward is working with the students, always. Regardless of the daily struggles I face, I still really enjoy the students. I get to influence their attitudes and opinions about reading. I get to help them do their work, but better, by introducing them to ways into the world of information. It’s a constant source of joy in my life.
4) What do you think are the biggest issues affecting young teens today?
In the United States, I’d have to say poverty. So many of our students live at or below the poverty line, or within one missed paycheck of it. It has a devastating affect on their ability to perform well in school. As a school librarian, battling the impact of poverty on the lives of students can feel like trying to hold back the tide.
5) How would your middle school students define you if they were writing your bio for you here at TLT?
This could perhaps be summed up with the following quote:
“She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.”
– Louisa May Alcott
My students think I’m a little crazy. How does the phrase go? You don’t have to be crazy to work with middle school students, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Honestly, I hope the students see me as someone who cares about them, who wants to share her love of books and her passion for learning with them.
In closing, I’d like to share my favorite literary quote. I think it explains more about who I am than anything else.
“So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.”
– Roald Dahl, Matilda
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Robin Willis, MLS
I am a School Library Media Specialist in Raleigh, NC, currently at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School. I have worked as a school librarian for 18 years, the past 15 in middle schools. Yes, I am one of those odd people who really enjoy middle school aged students! I know this makes me slightly unbalanced in the eyes of the world, but it is totally worth it. I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1990 with a BA in Religion (shout out to current most famous alum, Jon Stewart, who just barely edges out Thomas Jefferson in our nation’s consciousness.) Three years later I received my MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Other than reading, I count cooking and snuggling my friends’ children as top amongst my hobbies. My favorite author is Jasper Fforde; I’ve seen him speak three times at my fabulous local book store, Quail Ridge Books. Although I read a wide variety of novels, realistic fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres. I also enjoy anything with a warped sense of humor (shout out to Captain Underpants!) Some authors currently overflowing my personal bookshelves are Holly Black, Ally Carter, Rachel Hawkins, Libba Bray, Lish McBride, Sarah Rees Brennan, and Rebecca Stead. I will watch anything that has come into contact with Joss Whedon. I’m an avid Nerdfighter and user of social media. I spend way too much time on Twitter and am happiest when I can answer research-type questions from the authors I follow. I live with two very sweet, very spoiled cats. For updates about my cats and pictures of various homemade baked goods, you can follow me on Twitter @RobinReads (a personal account whose opinions are solely my own and do not reflect those of my employer or TLT.) You can also reach me at robinreads (at) bellsouth (dot) net – although Twitter is probably quicker.
Filed under: Meet TLT
About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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Welcome, Robin! I love that Matilda quote too. Makes me tear up every time.
Robin, hey! School librarians are some of my favorite people. And MS? I bow to you. Glad you're on board.
I am so excited that you will be joining TLT!!! I was moved to a middle school library for the next school year and am looking for ideas to make it “come alive”!!!
Thanks, Eric! Authors are some of my favorite people!
Hey there – welcome to middle school! It can be a challenge, but it is so worth it. I hope I'll be able to offer some good ideas you can adapt to work for you and your students.