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Try It -- You'll Like It!
by Linda Páez
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was very, very shy. In the summertime (when she wasn't dutifully practicing piano), she liked to lie in a hammock and read for hours. When she went off to college, she could often be found reading (and falling asleep) in a big leather chair in the library.
So, how did this solitary girl end up teaching bibliographic instruction sessions to thousands of classes, holding conference workshops, and doing corporate training?
The road to teaching was circuitous. First, of course, I had that love of reading. That led to wanting to work with books... but not necessarily with people! Second, I had an affinity for foreign language study. Translation services combine an interest in the written word and a knowledge of foreign languages, however, an undergraduate degree in Spanish Literature and a husband working in a city needing few translators brought few job prospects. "Why not go to library school?" suggested a learned mentor. Try it -- you'll like it!
The combination of an MLS with some electives in Latin American bibliography and some of those newfangled computer courses (back in the 60s) proved good background for employment. The acquisitions department in a nearby large university system library was just coming online. Librarians in acquisitions don't have to work with the public, so it seemed OK to be shy. "Come work for us," said the recruiter. Try it -- you'll like it! I was leading a department of six people the following year.
Side Trips and Sight Seeing
After some time spent raising a family and moving as my husband's career demanded, I took a detour from the profession and returned to my childhood interest in music. I started teaching piano. That led to community service with the Friends of the local symphony. I ended up chairing the student piano awards, and, at the end of the year, the awards ceremony involved getting up and speaking to a large audience. I presented the awards and commented on the background of each recipient. The president said, "You've been teaching piano students for so many years, I know you can do this!" Try it -- you'll like it! I later spent four years running the program.
On another detour from the library profession, I attended a church retreat where the pastor asked me to read from the Bible (in front of everyone!). I was reluctant, but he was so kind, and so nice, and so sure that I could do it. It went very well. He said, "You know, we need lectors badly at the service on Sunday." Try it -- you'll like it! I lectored for ten years, developing my delivery skills and comfort with speaking before 500 people.
All Roads Lead to Librarianship
Some years passed, and change was inevitable. I needed to find new work in a new place. Back on the library path again, my first offer was a position in a college library -- working with people! No more acquisitions, and no hiding from the public; they needed a reference librarian. One day, the head librarian said, "I really need someone to take this bibliographic instruction session; the instruction librarian is out with the flu." Try it -- you'll like it! In the end, I took over a 50-session year. Before I knew it there were 300 sessions to teach in a popular library instruction program.
A few years later, just when I had gotten comfortable teaching 60-90 minute bibliographic instruction sessions to 20 captive students, another challenge came along. The computer department at the college wanted to meet the needs of adult students coming back for classes to upgrade their computer skills. They proposed to offer the first credit course in our state, "Introduction to the Internet." The course would be offered in conjunction with the library, so content could be determined by librarians. I was reluctant to be the teaching librarian. After all, teaching a bibliographic instruction session was not the same as teaching adults a three-hour weekly course for fifteen weeks. The library director encouraged me. Try it -- you'll like it! I taught for three semesters while working full- time in the library.
Deciding On a Destination
Once in a while, taking stock of your life may mean taking another detour. I eventually decided to work towards a doctorate in information science. While I was at school, the professor in charge of the local SLA chapter sent out an announcement that a bilingual trainer was needed for an international development bank. I spoke to her about my background in teaching, my Spanish literature major that I had never used, and my need for part-time employment. But, my background was in college and university libraries; I had never been a special librarian. She said, "This is a good fit." The bank was looking for credentials I had recently acquired -- teaching computer science. Try it -- you'll like it! For the last five years, I have been combining my training skills, library skills, computer skills, and, after all is said and done, an affinity for working well with people.
Little seeds had been sown all along the path, even on those detours. Personal interests combined with interested mentors and lots of hard work grew into skills that have allowed me to overcome my innate shyness and grow into a successful career librarian. All this has taught me not to be afraid to try new opportunities. Taking classes is helpful because you need to know your subject well. Networking, serving on committees, and having good relationships with professors and professional mentors are also part of the trip.
Ultimately, however, it is your own desire to take on a challenge and see it through that brings personal satisfaction and career success. Shy about speaking in front of an audience? Don't think you can be a trainer? You can do it, too!
Try it -- you'll like it!
Linda Páez has an undergraduate degree in Spanish Literature from Chatham College and an MLS from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently a consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank's Felipe Herrera Library in Washington, D.C., where she designed and continues to develop their Internet page and do corporate bilingual training. She is active in professional associations, recently chairing the Student Activities Committee for DC/SLA, the recipient of SLA's national award for student programming.