As I am about to stop working at the UWB/CC Campus Library, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on my experience working here and share it with everyone. It has been a joy to work at this library for four years. I have liked this job so much that when I was younger I even told Nick one time that I would volunteer here if I could.

I started out as a Circulation Assistant when I was sixteen, and soon promoted to the Circulation Specialist position a year later. Aside from Tami (Access Services Manager), Nick (Circulation Supervisor), and Emily F. (former Circulation Technician Lead now Circulation Supervisor), I worked with an entirely different circulation staff than the current team. It has been wonderful to work with each and every staff member over the years. They have supported me through the ups and downs of the college experience.  In fact, working with such wonderful people is one of my favorite aspects of working at this library and why I have continued to work here.

Being a writer, avid reader, and English major, this job was absolutely perfect for me. I got to be surrounded by books all the time, bond with people over books, and help promote literacy. This job also aligned with my passion for social justice and diversity as a lot of this library is involved with social justice and diversity. There is the library’s Community Reads program and the Social Justice Team. This job was also great to work in while being a student. It was overall very chill which was the perfect peanut butter and jelly pairing to the high-stress academic environment.

I learned so much about books while being in this job and how books can transform lives. Many of the things I have learned have enriched my writing. As a writer, it was very inspiring and motivating to be surrounded by books. This motivation is one that was quiet yet seeped into my pores in a manner that was like no other writing motivational tactic. Being surrounded by books places the importance of books into your consciousness and motivates you to get your work out there.

This job also fostered my passion of writing by providing me with the Jane E. Decker Award (which provides funding for professional development). I received this award in 2018 and was able to go to Hugo House’s Write-O-Rama where you take one hour long workshops all afternoon taught by their teaching writers. I was also allowed to go to a class about submission strategies. Both of these events were very enriching.

It will be sad to leave this chapter of my life behind, as this job has played such a pivotal role in my life. I am excited to be entering into a new chapter of my life. I don’t yet know what this chapter will be yet, and am embracing the possibilities of this next chapter with open arms.

In honor of the library, I have created a video poem (video below) called “Ode to the UW Libraries” which was shot at Suzzallo Library. Text is also below if you would rather read it. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/ZFBR2PWHBmw

Ode to the UW Libraries 

Awaiting behind your doors is an emporium open to all

To explore one’s biggest questions and fathoms of imagination

You are ever inviting with an embrace like an old friend

Always listening

And offering your shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold

No matter the weather

No matter the season

You have introduced people to many of their greatest friends, heroes, beautiful love stories, and awesome journeys

With you,

I marvel as I am surrounded in symphonies of quotes

And wander in wonder through your stacks

Oh, where the time goes when we are together

You are a key to the UW community

Generously giving students the power of knowledge

Through offering a variety of databases, books, and resources

– Emily O.