Most high school jobs involve selling products: groceries, clothing, a meal. Me? I sell knowledge. That sounds far more prolific than it really is, as I have a habit of making a fool of myself in the process of selling said knowledge, but I'm proud of it, dangit.
In December 2012, I stepped into the children's section of the Goodnow Library for the first time since I was in elementary school. I felt oversized and giant-like in a space I had only known when I was a little munchkin, much like the toddlers running around me as I made my way to the story-craft room. What began as a one time, after school volunteer job turned into a passion, as I returned weekly to help out, and less than a year later, into a part-time job. Now, as I prepare to begin my next adventure in college, I have to say goodbye to the institution that has brought joy to my life for four years, the place that has blessed me with so many amazing friends, the job that was always more than a job, the Goodnow Library.
Above is my lovely friend/boss, Miss Megan, and our mascot, Brownie the Buffalo. Megan started as the library's teen librarian, later returning to Goodnow as the new children's librarian. Always my friends first, Megan and assistant children's librarian Amy have created a wonderfully welcoming children's department in the past few years, and I have been so lucky to help them. What I love most about these two women is that they always go out of their way to make their work environment fun. In any given day, I have tasks ranging from scooping ice cream to watching a 3D printer to crafting peppy Facebook posts to building a fully functional guitar out of cardboard, aluminum foil, and some wires. I'm going to miss running around frantically alongside them on Monday mornings before Music Makers, chatting with them while I shelve what seems like a million books, and closing with them on Friday afternoons. I cannot wait to return to Goodnow to say hi to these fantastic women, as well as the rest of the staff.
The people are what makes the Goodnow Library the incredible place it is. It has introduced me to some of my best friends. As libraries bring people together through literature, the children's section brings teens together through its volunteer program, as well as the fact that it employs high schoolers. Below is, embarrassingly, one of the first image results when you google the library. That's me on the far right, working at a special event at the library, looking with wonderment at the robot - yes, robot - in front of me. On my left are my lovely friends Jennie, Brianna, and Kendall, just a few of the amazing people I have met through Goodnow. I am so incredibly lucky to have met all of them, and I will miss them all next year. (PSA: yes, I have figured out my hair since this picture was taken. Yowza.)
With just three days left at Goodnow, and the flyer advertising the job I am leaving behind hanging on the doors to the children's department, I'm looking back on the past four years even more than I did at my high school graduation. To the people who have made this the best first job a Kate could ask for, thank you. You have been my inspirations, my confidants, and my cheerleaders throughout the past four years, and because of you I am so fortunate as to be heading off to college in a week with a host of memories, tons of friends, and somewhere to turn to if I ever miss home.
Thank you, Goodnow, for proving that libraries are far from archaic, outdated entities. They are homes to memories, knowledge, friendships, and progress. Don't believe the stereotypes. My library family proves those wrong. Arthur wasn't lying; having fun isn't hard when you have a library card.
