My mom is a librarian, and yes, it is as magical as it sounds. I don't ever remember a time in my life that I have not been surrounded by books, where trips to the library or the bookstore were not considered the best field trip of all time, conversations about up-and-coming children's book authors, and educational speeches involving book characters were not a constant and crucial aspect to how I grew up and continue to move through the world. Having a mother as a librarian gave me access to literature and to knowledge in ways that I probably would have never gotten if my mom had been a botanist, pastry chef, lawyer, or dental hygienist, but then again, who is to know? What I do know is that my childhood was based off of the excitement of exploration, independence, imagination, and a love for learning through books. This is something that my mother continues to express the importance of, even today, in the way that she lives her life and continues to lead me through life. This is how and why having a librarian as a mom is the best ever:
1. Books.
They are wonderful, magical, and a fundamental aspect in life; don't let anyone tell you any differently, they would be doing you an injustice. Having a mother who is a librarian instilled this notion much earlier in my life. Aside from the obvious, I learned many of the important life skills and random facts that came in handy later in life from books. Books were my distraction, favorite toy, relaxation tactic, and prehistoric iPhone. I wouldn't have it any other way.
2. I was able to gain a new perspective and way of thinking early on in life.
Having an avid book lover and librarian as a mom naturally led me to read anything I could get my hands on, probably because this was kind of the expectation as a librarian's child, but I didn't need much persuading. I was exposed to ideas, opinions, and knowledge that I otherwise may not have gotten if my mom had embarked on a different career choice. Who would have known that my mom getting a Master's degree in Library Science would change my own life so drastically? What I do know is that having a librarian as a mom allowed me to mature quickly and productively to arrive at a place that I was able to embrace all of the knowledge that I gained through reading; these same habits apply to my life today.
3. I am able to travel anywhere and everywhere within the boundaries of my mind.
One day I could be in the trenches of the Civil War through historical fiction, making a trek through Hades with Odysseus through Ancient Greek literature, or protesting in the streets with thousands of women through feminist poetry. No matter where I want to go, or what I want to learn, I can achieve it through reading. This is one of the most important (if not the most important) lessons that my librarian mom has taught me for as long as I can remember. Books live and move just like life does. They are one of the many gateways to a brighter and fuller life.
4. My vocabulary was bigger than me.
Reading like my life depended on it introduced me to words and phrases that I would have never been exposed to otherwise. My librarian mom made sure to always make this point to me. If I wanted to learn more, all I had to do was read.
5. Reading for class in college is now fun, rather than an excruciating, pointless process.
Because I have been raised with books and have been reading from day one, I have learned to find enjoyment in it, in its rawest and simplest form, even if it is regarding a topic that I find dreadful and tedious. It sure beats math homework or physics theories. No offense, that's my English major talking.
6. I was prepared for college level research and analytical essays before I even knew these things existed in this cruel world.
Yes, I admit it, both of these things are awful land dreadful, but, there is a positive side to them. Reading nonfiction books on the thousands of sea shell species in North America, memorizing the equine anatomy by age 10, and finishing a 12-book series in less than a semester in grade school was normal for a person like me, all thanks to my librarian mom. I was reading the tough stuff before the tough stuff was mandatory (thanks, college), therefore making it more familiar and tolerable now that I have to write and read until my eyes bleed and fingers fall off. But I enjoy every minute of it, no matter how difficult or challenging the subject may be.
7. I have a personal librarian on call 24/7.
Need help with research? Got it. Book recommendations? Have that. Grammar review for essays or emails? Got that. A magic book lady to talk about literature with at one in the morning? Have that too.
8. In Elementary school, I was academic royalty.
This was not only due to the fact that my mom worked at the same school that I attended, but she was the librarian, too. Queen of the books. Slay. Yes, she was the cool mom.
9. I was inducted into my royal status by gaining book check out privileges that the rest of my lowly peers did not have.
This involved handling the holy grail of the library: the barcode scanner. It was the library version of the light saber and I took every chance that came my way to use it.
10. Everyone knew who I was, which kept me out of trouble, that is, if I were the troublemaking type, and I had access to anywhere and everywhere on campus.
The Nance girl, the librarian's daughter, Kim's child, the reader girl, etc. I was known by who my mother was and the great respect that people had for her, due to how amazing she is as a person and as a librarian. My royal status only lasted as long as my Elementary school years did, but man, what a time it was to be alive.
11. I learned what the Dewey Decimal System was by age seven; it actually comes in handy.
Who knew that I would have had two library jobs by the time I turned 20? Not me. Thank goodness for my librarian mom, I was fully and adequately prepared for professional shelving.
12. TV is lackluster.
So lackluster, in fact, that my Netflix junkie, binge stage is just now upon me as a junior in college. Impressive, I know, but also, maybe sad in some opinions. This may have something to do with the time period that I was born in, pre-Steve Jobs, but I do not think that I would have been as hooked on books as I was and still am, if I had not had the librarian mom that I did. The book is always better than the movie. The images and stories that we create in our minds when reading are always so much more personal, real, and fantastic than any movie or TV series ever. Your argument is invalid. Long live books.
13. I received (and still do receive) books for Christmas and my birthday, as well as any other occasion.
My very own library is steadily growing on bookshelves, in boxes, crammed in drawers, and on my nightstand. It is beautiful. Shout out to Goodwill and Half Price Books. Oh, and my librarian mom!
14. Getting my own library card was almost as exciting and important as getting my first credit card.
If I could dance, this is what I would have looked like the day I was able to receive my first library card. "I hold the power!" was my initial feeling. Not much has changed.
15. The love of books will be with me forever.
Books are life, books are love, and books are my librarian mom. My librarian mom has led me through the pages of life and has instilled within me an amazement and ever growing love for the written word. That is something that I will forever be grateful for. My librarian mom is magic, not only for me, but for everyone she has shared the beauty of books with, which there are many. She is every book I have ever read, and every book I will ever read, for she is the only librarian mom I will ever need.
A huge thank you to all of the librarians and all of the librarian moms in the world. Without you, this world and our libraries would be lifeless and cold. Thank you for bringing the pages, and our lives, to life.
