Not everyone goes around saying, “I love my job.” The percentage of people who can say that is probably very low. Even then, a big contributing factor to that love is the pay. This is understandable. Everyone loves to get paid. I seriously can’t think of anyone who doesn’t. Why am I saying all this? I would like to declare my appreciation to something that makes me happy. Something that I could honestly do for free if it came to it. Something that relates strongly with my passion. Something that may hold some of my contributions someday. “Where is this place and where can I find this job?”, you ask.

My job as a work study student for my college library is one the few things in life that bring me a sense of peace and contentment in my life. While there are hectic days (it wouldn’t be a job if there weren’t), it’s an overall enjoyable experience. This is an ode to my job, co-workers, and boss.

“Why do I love working in the library?” For starters, I’m a big book nerd. If you ask anyone who knows me even a little bit will tell probably tell you I’m obsessed with books. They wouldn’t be lying. I’m one of those few people in this world that actually reads for pleasure. It seems that quality is quite rare. Let me clarify by saying, not everything I read I like, and not everything I like I read. Still confusing? I take enjoyment reading things I like to read. School assignments have a different emotion. It’s a conflicting one. Sometimes, I may read something for a class and end up liking it even though I didn’t expect I would. Other times, I think I wouldn’t like what I’m having to read for this class, and I’m right. There are even times we can dare say I’m indifferent to the work. With school material, it all depends.

Another reason I love my job and the location so much is the fact that I’m a creative writing major. The dream is to write books. This dream didn’t fully come into a passion until the end of my winter semester of senior year (high school). I thought to myself, “If these authors can make readers feel something to deeply, so passionately long after the author is dead and the publication date is old, why not me?” I can write something just as thought-provoking and profound if I wanted. Someday, people would read my work. Someday, it could be studied in the classrooms. What a feeling. I want that feeling. And how to make it a reality? Become a creative writing major, and here I am. Being surrounded by books can subtly inspire to write great. Just think, these authors didn’t think people would be reading their work for pleasure or educational requirement years from the time they wrote it. They could’ve hoped, sure, but not many probably thought of that possibility. Plus, I spend much of my free time (when I have any) in the library. Many students and library staff members can attest to this. It’s my sanctuary. It’s one of the places I go to get rid of the what gives me stress and gives me silence. It’s so nice.

The close tie to this library in particular is when I write my books and have them published, read, liked or hated, I would want a copy to be available to my college library. It’s kind of like that old saying, “You can go anywhere in this world, but never forget where you come from.” This is just like that. I want to have copies of my books in the library where I emerged a dedicated, devoted, determined writer. What better place to plant those roots than here?

Workers occasional have instances where they don’t like or get along with their boss and/or co-workers. I don’t have to say that, and for that I’m blessed and lucky. I love my boss and the people I work with. We all get along. We help each other out when there’s a question or a technical malfunction. We share the ups and down of working and that bond ties us all together. I want to take this moment in particular to give a shout-out to all to you wonderful people at the library. You make working there a treat.

I see how this ode can come off as sappy and overly sentimental, but that’s an ode for you. I give your appreciations to the thing you’re giving an ode to, and get all the feels. It happens. Bottom line, if you love where you work, if you love the people you work with, show the love. Give gratitude every now and then for the opportunity. Not many people get it, but I did. That’s more than I could ever hope for.