I was excited today that my library hero John Schumacher started FOLLOWING ME on twitter! Woo Hoo, I’ve arrived… although when I say he follows me, well, perhaps he just got sick of wondering who this ‘barefoot librarian’ was, retweeting his tweets on the other side of the world. Mr. Schu has his finger on the pulse, of all things literary/library/authorly; where he finds the time and energy I’ll never know, but I love reading his blog and highly recommend it to you.

Through John, I was lead along a link-filled road to Andy Plimmons and the Barrow Media Center and Jennifer Reed and back to twitter and all over the place… but happily landed at padlet where I was able to read many great stories of people sharing why they became librarians under #whylib

A conversation was started on Twitter to share the stories of how librarians found their way to being in a library. Our paths are diverse, but we share a common thread.

Here’s why I became a librarian…

With one of the most amazing Elementary School Libraries in the world on my radar, I set my sights on becoming a librarian because I love telling stories, and recognise the joy people of all ages, not just children, experience when they are drawn in to a great book. After teaching middle and high school students for ten years in Australia, and 5th graders for seven years in Shanghai, I was fortunate that I tossed a coin for studying to be a counsellor or a librarian and the librarian coin won. While continuing to teach 5th grade I completed the five courses necessary for a certificate as a K-12 Library Media Specialist and my dream job became available as I started my practicum.

Now with almost two whole wonderfully exciting years under my library belt, I’m inspired on a daily basis by my students’ enthusiasm, the beautiful picture books that just keep coming out, and the slew of amazing librarians around the world who continue to deliver delicious stories to children.