“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began.”
-Bilbo in The Fellowship of the Ring
“I get enjoyment and fulfillment, like if you’re accomplishing something and getting somewhere, like Wow, we pulled that off or That was a hard one to do or That note was really expressive. And involving yourself in struggle. That’s not a problem I have. But how do you say that after a show? Yeah, I really involved myself in struggle and pulled off something really complicated.”
-Jack White on performing music, WTF with Marc Maron (podcast), episode 289
When I went on my interview in Henrietta a couple weeks ago, the hiring committee asked me why I became a librarian. For many years now, people who give advice on these matters have been telling librarians not to answer this question, “Because I love to read.”
But I answered this question the same way I’ve answered it in every single job interview I’ve ever gone on. I told the truth.
I became a librarian because I love to read.
I tell this story often because it was a moment that’s defined my life: I read The Lord of the Rings for the first time when I was in the fifth grade. I got to the end and was overwhelmed by the sadness of the story being over, and so I got my copy of The Fellowship of the Ring and read the whole trilogy again.
I’ve reread the series more times than I can count. My love for these books has nothing to do with elves or magic or swords, although those things are all fine, as far as I’m concerned. What makes me return to this story again and again, though, is the notion of life as a quest. My fifth grade self couldn’t have articulated what she found in those books, but I know now that I needed to see that even the smallest person can step away from comfort and into challenge, that change is possible on scales small and large, that our efforts and intentions matter. The story reinforced for me that there are things in this world worth protecting–fellowship and love, food and conversation, adventure and courage, songs and stories. These are the things that sustain us when life is difficult, when we are hurt or afraid and have to be so much braver than we feel.
These books told me to find people who value the things I do and to treasure them, because they are essential. That’s a lesson that led me from fifth grade straight to this moment when I’m sitting here writing this to you.
I’ll never know how many lives have changed because of a book I made sure was on the shelf or something I helped someone find, but I’ll spend my last couple weeks at WPL watching children check out stacks of books, knowing that some of them will find something that will still matter to them when they’re adults trying to figure out this world that defies understanding.
I became a librarian because everyone deserves these chances, moments when something pierces the everyday and points a path toward health and wholeness, toward growth and adventure and change.
I believe we all get to write our own stories. When I was in fifth grade, I decided my story was going to be a little epic.
I like the way that’s working out so far.
GoodReads
Flickr
Facebook
Twitter
21 Comments
Okay already I’ll listen to the books this summer.
The reader’s super-good. I’ve listened to them, too.
Twice.
“When I was in fifth grade, I decided my story was going to be a little epic.”
THIS is why I love you, Adrienne. And why I love that you are a librarian and that you are taking kids on quests along with you. Yeah.
For me, the books were The Prydain Chronicles. I re-read them often, and I’m always encouraged by the knowledge even assistant pig-keepers have a role to play in making sure the world is a good place. It’s a much more powerful message than “you must be a king/queen to make a difference.”
Love this! Yes yes yes. And congrats again on your new job.
I love this.
Henrietta is so incredibly lucky to have you.
I enjoyed this post – good luck with your new job (and congratulations!). Also, I’m totally with you on the WTF podcast.
I don’t know how many times I’ve read,listened to or watched the trilogy over the years but I still love it.
I can’t think of a better reason to become a librarian than the love of reading.Not one.
Congrats.
Sara, Thank you, and I’m glad you’re writing stories to add to the shelf.
I somehow missed the Prydain Chronicles when I was a child but read them as an adult and LOVED them. I know my fifth grade self would have been enthralled.
Jama, Thank you!
Jules, I think Henrietta and I are going to be a good match.
Travis, Thanks, and I’m so glad to know another WTF listener. I really look forward to new episodes, and I listened to that Jack White one twice, I loved it so much.
Momster, Thank you! I really can’t think of a better reason, either.
I think I may have to quote that bit about a quest on my blog. One of the myriad and manifold things I appreciate about you is your ability to articulate subtleties in ways I can only hint at… life truly IS a quest. And here’s to making it epic, sister.
Henrietta won’t know what hit them. ☺
You, too, Tanita, with that epic thing.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m so glad you go against the pundits’ advice! I would love to have you as my son’s librarian.
Thank you!
Yeah, just a bit closer for us!! Congrats!
Yahoo, Adrienne, way to go kiddo! Henrietta is indeed lucky to get you. Best of luck…
Thanks, Jane! And it’s great to hear from you! I hope you’re well.
I am so pleased and thrilled for you, Adrienne. I not-so-secretly think the librarian action figure should have been modeled on you.
Thanks, Farida. Sometimes I think about starting to wear a cape everywhere. The kids who come in to the library wearing capes always look like they’re having fun.
Have you read C.S. Lewis’s essay, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings? It can be found in the collection On Stories.
“Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron; here is a book that will break your heart.”
I haven’t, but I’ll have to look it up. I’m also a fan of Lewis’s writing. I also read and read the Narnia books when I was a kid, and his book on grief is something.
Congratulations, Adrienne.
Thanks!