The first day of this month found me in my last class ever in library school. And now on the last day of the month I officially began my first day of professional work as a librarian. I am very fond of the symmetry and completely amazed at the journey.

A mere 30 days ago I lived on the East Coast, and had no home and no job. Now I live in a lovely apartment in the Mighty Midwest and am employed as a school librarian. Which, I feared at first, isn’t too far removed from my former life as a classroom teacher. However, at orientation today I realized that I have many things that separate me from those with “homerooms”–like the fact that I have 4 extra prep periods a week and don’t have to eat with the students (the poor teachers eat with their kids everyday!!!!). And, I must confess, I am totally overwhelmed with a desire to excel in my new position in the hope of changing some children’s lives. And I say that without irony. Weird, huh?

But as for library jobs it could be a lot worse and a lot more boring. I basically get to rebuild my entire collection, re-catalog/organize it, do readalouds and bibliographic instruction in the same day, and know that it all matters. And the pay isn’t bad either.

And so this chapter of my life both begins and ends, and I have never before felt the peaceful contentment that I have tonight in my mind. I know this isn’t a very interesting blog, but it is sincere.