In 2007, about a
week after my fifteenth birthday, I began working at the Morrill Memorial
Library. I never could have known at the
beginning what an adventure I would be in for.
When I was a child
I would come to Miss Hope’s story times. I would talk to Michele when checking
out. I would pick up stacks of books
that would tower over my short frame and I started reading books from the Young
Adult room by the age of eight. I am
thankful everyday that my mother made it a priority to get her children
involved in the library early in life. It has definitely had a grand and
inspiring effect on me.
One of the biggest
things that the library has done for me is help me grow up. I’ve spent the last
few years growing up and growing into myself. I’ve weeded my friend garden many
times over and I carry the library’s quiet confidence in me. I’ve
been lucky enough accumulate many special bonds while working here, between my
lovely co-workers, the patrons I get to interact with, as well as my wonderful
craft time crew and class.
Working at the
library over the years has taught me about people, it has allowed me to learn
from my mistakes, and qualified me to be an adult. The library has witnessed me
grow up and it has stood in wait while I went on grand adventures while
supplying me with the tools I needed to grow into myself.
I’ve learned to
laugh between these walls; I’ve learned and I’ve loved, I’ve contemplated life.
But it wasn’t an easy journey.
I’ve lived in
Norwood for twenty-two years. I graduated from the old building of Norwood High
in 2010. Then I went to the University of Massachusetts Boston for Nursing.
Looking back, my reasons for becoming a nurse
were less well thought-out than I had originally conceived. Between my grandparents
and my aunt, I had almost always had someone to visit in the hospital and I was
grateful for the work that the nurses did to help them feel better. That,
coupled with throwing a career decision at a seventeen year old, led me to
choose Nursing as my major. It wasn’t a dumb decision but it definitely wasn’t
right for me.
My first year of
college I struggled to keep up in classes where nothing made sense to me, and
nothing truly interested me. My only refuge was my work at the library. There
was always this calming balm when I walked through the library’s doors, and it
became my sanctuary.
If you ask my
family, I am someone who loves to
give up on things, be it sports (I am the exact opposite of athletically
inclined), instruments, or whatever else. But giving up on Nursing, the life
raft I’d grabbed onto when leaving high school, was terrifying. Once again, the
only thing that calmed that fear was working at the library. Finally it clicked
and I nearly bopped myself on the head. Why
not become a librarian? While I wouldn’t
be making people feel better in the medicinal sense, I could try and nurture
their minds.
After fighting so
hard to keep up with my Nursing coursework, transferring to a major in English
was like easing into a warm bath. While it was still work, it was work that I
enjoyed and it helped ease the burn left behind by my Nursing studies. The last three years of school have been
amazing. I have had the opportunity to interact with like-minded people and
discuss my favorite thing: books!
In order to
continue my journey into a literary career I aim to get my Master’s degree in
Library Science starting in January. I’ve recently been accepted to several
programs all across the country. Now
with graduate school on the horizon I’m excited to achieve my MLIS but I’m
worried about leaving this library behind. While I may be an adult by most standards
(twenty-two meaning I can frequent night clubs, casinos, and other places I
will probably never go to) I feel like this library has been an integral part
of my continuing growth. Working at the library has given me the big-girl shoes
I needed to get out there and kick the world’s butt. I love seeing families come in with their
kids and I hope that our library is able to make as big an impact on them as it
did on me.
There have been many
amazing novels that have helped me mature.
Our library has an amazing assortment of books to help ease the painful
process of growing up and accepting yourself, including loving yourself when
it’s hard:
“The DUFF:
Designated Ugly Fat Friend” by Kody Keplinger
“You Are Here” by
Jennifer E Smith
“The Princess
Diaries” by Meg Cabot
“The Distance
Between Us” by Kasie West
“The Earth, My
Butt, and Other Big Fat Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler
These books are
some of my favorite reads; they have really helped me in my journey of
self-acceptance. Plus most of them are hilarious.
In order to get
your child involved in the library at an early age, please check out some of
our amazing children’s programs. The
library can help your kids love learning, and help them develop as tiny people too!
Get in touch with the Children’s
Department by calling us at 781-769-0200 x225 or emailing us at norchild@minlib.net.
