An Unexpected Visit

As public service librarians, we never know who we are going to touch. I was reminded of this twice this week, when former students dropped by to say hello. One of these students was a regular in our library whom I got to know to some extent. The other one was a student worker. In both cases, they had been away from the school for a couple of years: the economy had taken its toll and they had entered the workforce. Both said how much they enjoyed our conversations while they were in school.

Two years later, both of these students had moved on with their lives. They worked, played, hopefully enjoyed life, but they found their way to the library again. More than likely, they were here for other business as well, took the extra time to visit us and say hello. What they receive here was more than research assistance, they experienced a real connection.

As for me, I was just doing my job. I am still just doing my job, but I am coming to see my job as more than information assistance. For some, I may just be a friendly face. For others, I may, for a while, be that trusted guide through the murky waters of homework and resources. For those precious few, if I am lucky, I will be an enduring part of their college memories. Sometimes, it when we least expect it, in the ways which we least expect, that we make the biggest impact.