Librarian Origin Stories

by Kara Yorio
Jan 31, 2025 | Filed in News & Features

There are varied paths to the profession. Find out how these librarians found their way to the library.

Inspired by 2021 School Librarian of the Year Amanda Jones posting that an episode of The Rosie O’Donnell Show was responsible for her becoming a school librarian, SLJ senior news editor Kara Yorio took to Bluesky to ask for more librarian origin stories. The responses didn’t disappoint.

Here are some of our favorites. (And, by the way, you can find SLJ on Bluesky now @slj.com.)

Kathy Lester

@kathylester.bsky.social
I was parent volunteer on son’s District Tech Ed Cmte (I was then a software engineer & manager). The Committee was made up of mostly School Librarians. They thought I would be great at job & encouraged me to get my MLIS. I did & never looked back.

Heather Perkinson

@hkperkinson.bsky.social
I was a classroom teacher for many years but had to take a break for a year bec of my husband’s job & a move so got a job at Borders. Realized that my true love was getting books into the hands of readers! Worked in public libraries before I found my way back to schools as a teaching librarian.

Becky Calzada

@aaslpres.bsky.social
First generation HS & College grad here who was an avid reader & became a 1st grade teacher because IDK how to become a TL. A lib in our school noticed how many books I shared w/Ss & asked if I’d considered libraries—I went to Lib School & have been a TL for 24 yrs.

Johanna Talbott

@grumpydustsprite.bsky.social
As a kid, we lived in a remote rural area 60 miles from the nearest library. Once a month, a bookmobile came to our 3-room schoolhouse. It was my lifeline. I thought it must be the most amazing job bringing books to kids. I was going to have that job.

Robbie Barber

@mediabarber.bsky.social
Left full time engineering/project management. Volunteered at my children’s school & landed in the library. 5 yr later, the librarian insisted I get my degree & do this for a living. She was right!

Bill Ives

@billiamives.bsky.social
Covid-19. After working a corporate job for 5 years and feeling like I wasn’t contributing in a meaningful way. I saw my local library step up to serve its patrons. It inspired me to apply to grad school once the vaccines were available. I’ve turned my passion for reading into a career!

Rebecca Libersat

@bibliobeque.bsky.social
I was a volunteer at a National Historic Site one summer in college, and decided I didn’t want to be a park ranger but I liked helping people learn stuff and get where they wanted to go. Went straight to library school when I finished undergrad

Sean Heller

@bragaboutbooks.bsky.social
My elementary school librarian provided for me a space to be me. Her name was Mrs. Runyan. She didn’t care how many times I checked out Shark Lady or played on the computer. She laughed at my bad jokes & allowed me to “help”. I felt safe & I felt needed. I needed the space & it needed me. #edulib

Sierra Jay

@sierrajay.bsky.social
I viewed librarianship as pretty boring as a young adult. When I started undergrad, I was burnt out from COVID-era customer service and wanted to be a web designer. However, thanks to some wonderful professors and classmates, I realized the breadth of what librarians do and chose to pursue my MLIS.

Stephen Wynn

@ichotolottian.bsky.social
As a book nerd, the library was my natural habitat. I snagged work-study in college, then after graduation got a part-time position at the local public library. A friend working on certification as a school media specialist pointed me to a nearby MLS program, and the rest is thirty happy years now.

Meredith Butts

@bemeredith.bsky.social
My dad pushed me to consider librarianship after college. I then met with my old librarian from elementary school and she gave me “Seeking Meaning.” I read it and realized it meant teaching people how to learn for themselves for the rest of their lives. A spark ignited! #TLSky #EduLib #Skybrarians

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Librarian Origin Stories

Kathy Lester

Heather Perkinson

Becky Calzada

Johanna Talbott

Robbie Barber

Bill Ives

Rebecca Libersat

Sean Heller

Sierra Jay

Stephen Wynn

Meredith Butts

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