Like any good library...


 "You recognize it, little soul. Of course you do; it is known to all who arrive here. It is a myth of an endless library, a place for souls to pause, rest, and regather themselves after death. It is a place of sanctuary; it is a place of homecoming. And, like any good library, it is open to all."

` The God of Lost Words, by A.J. Hackwith (p. 350)


    The Hell's Library series by A.J. Hackwith caught my attention about two years ago. The first novel was sitting on my local library's "Just In" shelf, and it certainly caught my attention. A book by a queer sci-fi author? A book about a librarian? I was absolutely going to pick that one up. 

    Inside of that cover, I found a heroine I could relate to and a world that caught my attention. At the end of the series, I found the quote above. As I have contemplated, over and over, the idea of studying Library Science, this quote just keeps popping into my head. Reading has always been a sanctuary to me. Libraries have been safe spaces for me. Not that I don't love a good book store too (especially when you get sniffs of the coffee machine as you shop) but as someone who didn't always have a lot of money in my pocket, libraries typically won out. 

    I work hard to make sure that my classroom is a sanctuary. For sixty-plus students a semester, it is. They return throughout the day, and for years following, whenever they need a place to be themselves. I am happy to say that some of my colleagues provide those spaces for some of the other students. But I also know we aren't reaching all of our kids.

    I want to help provide that type of space for as many people as possible. Not the cliché "Shh..." type of library, where patrons are afraid to step out of line without the librarian making them feel uncomfortable. I want to provide a space that is a home. Maybe that means reimagining what a library is as technology and the needs of the community change. Maybe that means shaking up what a librarian is "supposed" to be. Most importantly, I will make sure that my library, like my classroom, is a space that is open to all.

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