Note: This is the ninth and last in what has been a series of columns about the experiences of those in the academic law librarianship profession - ed.
This is my last column for the ALL-SIS newsletter. I have left academia for the challenge of working as a law firm librarian. And, as much as I have loved writing the column, it just is no longer an appropriate endeavor for me. Understandably, while waxing nostalgic about the column, I became introspective and thought back to its genesis. When I starting writing the column I had one goal in mind: honesty.
I wanted to offer an honest discussion of the issues facing a newer law librarian. But I wonder if the column really had any impact? Could I show any results from having written this column? And I realized, sadly, that I could not. Let’s face it. Writing a column for a law library newsletter doesn’t generate fan mail (or hate mail, thank goodness). So I have never really known what anyone thought of my ramblings. I guess the only measure on which I have to base the success of this column is myself. Since I refused to let this column end without claiming some sort of result from it, I realized I had to take action. Luckily the New Year provided me with the perfect opportunity.
My New Year’s resolution is not to participate in office gossip. As any one who witnesses me rush out to my mailbox on Saturday morning to retrieve my Us Weekly magazine can tell you, this moratorium definitely does NOT apply to celebrity gossip. I’m still willing to have an in-depth discussion of the breakup of Brad and Jen with anyone who is interested. But office gossip is out. Maybe this baby step will help me figure out how to be a more honest person when it comes to my professional life.
It hasn’t been easy. Some of my colleagues have offered me prime bits of gossip. And I’ve had to keep quiet about it. It’s almost been like they are testing me. But, you know what? I have stuck to my resolution, and it really feels good! I genuinely feel like a better person.
So I am planting the seed here. I figure if even only a hand full of others follow suit and resolve to not participate in office gossip, then this column will have served a purpose. But I cannot end without thanking ALL-SIS newsletter editors (both current and past), Shaun Esposito and Leah Sandwell-Weiss, for allowing me to undertake the idea. And thanks to you all for humoring me and actually reading it. At least, I think some of you have been reading it! Take care and maybe I will see you back in academia one day.
