New Year’s Resolutions of the Library Kind

It’s hard to believe that it’s a new year again, never mind a new decade. Like countless other people, I decided to view that passage of time as an opportunity to develop some New Year’s resolutions.  However, mine are designed to focus specifically on improving myself as a librarian in 2010, and I think (unlike the usual resolutions I make) the odds are good that I’ll be able to keep them!

1. Remember how it felt to be a law student.
   This May will mark three years since I graduated from law school, meaning that before long, I’ll be out of law school longer than I was in. I want to make sure that I keep remembering the essence of what it was like to be inside that environment, and the emotions and experiences students go through as they work towards the J.D. The stresses of school can occasionally combine to make what would normally be classified as “a tiny inconvenience” mushroom into “AHHHHHH!!!!”, let alone something like your flash drive suddenly malfunctioning just as you finish typing the final exam, or your entire computer choosing that particular moment to crash. Current law students also have to contend with the challenge of finding a job in this difficult economy. I’m going to continue being mindful of what the students who approach the reference desk may be dealing with, and use my own “past life” to guide how I relate to them. I want the fact that I have been there to come through, no matter what the situation or issue.
2. Venture into the unknown.
   “There’s always something more you can learn” - I’ve heard many variations of this phrase throughout my life, and while it can veer into cliche territory, it is also very true. Both law and librarianship are dynamic fields, undergoing numerous changes during a law librarian’s career. Sometimes it can be daunting to just try to stay up to date with new developments in your particular subject specializations. As a reference librarian, this is a situation I face daily because patrons pose questions about anything from “How do I handle my own divorce?” to “I need to research Brazilian commercial law - where should I start?” Inevitably, some of those questions may leave me at a loss initially, and I have to quickly explore what seem like the most logical avenues to a satisfactory answer. Of course, it’s impossible to know everything about everything, but having a stronger foundation to build on is always helpful. This year, I intend to select two or three areas of law that I have limited experience with, and work to increase my knowledge both of how they operate and the standard sources used to research them. I hope that by doing so, I will add to my effectiveness as a librarian and become a more well-rounded resource for the library’s patrons to consult.
3. Be the life of the party!
   This doesn’t mean that I plan to dance around the room with a lampshade on my head (although if any of you do own a lampshade and know some great dance moves, I’m not discouraging other people from giving it a try), but rather, I plan to take the initiative to become further acquainted with members of our profession, particularly at conferences and other face-to-face gatherings. Over the past few years, involvement in social networking has grown rapidly among librarians, because it allows us to form connections and share information with people worldwide. However, even though social networking provides the chance to interact with librarians in faraway places from Australia to Italy, being able to meet and talk with someone in person is still very valuable. When I attended my first AALL Annual Meeting, one of the CONELL speakers said that we should all strive to meet at least five new people each day during any kind of conference, and I have come to really appreciate what sound advice that was. This year, I will be making a point of doing just that during every event I have the opportunity to go to. I’m looking forward to it - see you soon!
4. Go ahead. Procrastinate.
   I’m not referring to the standard method of procrastination, where everything is put off until the absolute last minute. That just leaves you feeling overwhelmed and panicked, often resulting in a finished product of far lower quality than you’re capable of. Instead, I want to redefine procrastination into something more purposeful and beneficial:  prioritization. The system I’ve constructed through trial and error during the nearly two and a half years I’ve been a librarian also makes use of my organizational skills because it requires listing the various assignments and projects currently in my to-do pipeline, noting when they are due, and including a general idea about how much time and effort each is likely to involve. With a better grasp of that information, I can “procrastinate” concerning the long-term items (while keeping their various deadlines in mind), which lets me finish those that are in need of immediate attention more efficiently. This more informed version of procrastination has reduced the feeling that everything is creeping up on me at once, so I’ve resolved to keep it up throughout the new year and beyond. It is very difficult to completely break away from a long-ingrained practice, but I hope this makes it a bit easier.

Here’s to 2010!