Job Shadowing at the Washington Public Library

I have never been one for meeting new people. Something about it has always put me on edge and going to the Washington Public Library for a job shadow was no different.

Walking in, I didn't know what to do or who I should talk to. I had never done something like this before. The staff were very nice, and I was quickly introduced to the director, Carry Ann. She had a way of putting my nerves at ease as we talked, and as she gave me a tour of the building. Now I know you may be thinking that “it’s just a library. There isn't that much to see or do,” but you'd be wrong. From clay and strings to making your own crafts, they have just a little of everything.

I found out they have pottery classes they offer, as well as 3D printers, a Cricut, art of all kinds, and so much more. They offer many different events that people can attend, like the Titanic dinner, Dungeons and Dragons, reading programs for kids, movie nights, concerts, writers workshops, sticks and strings — and the list is always growing. I was able to observe what some of these programs did, and I was even allowed to help plan future events like the K-2 summer reading program they host.

Throughout my time there, I was given the opportunity to learn how to catalog books, learn the system they use, and even look at some of the books that were donated when the library first opened. For a little bit every day, I worked on marking all the books in the young adult sections. The goal of the library was to mark all the books based on genre. Each genre would be given a different colored tape. After making all the books, they would like to move them so that all the romance is together in one place and all the fantasy is all in one place.

During this time I was also able to observe some programs for younger kids, like the Lego Club. This is an after-school program that encourages creativity and problem-solving. The other program I got to see was the reading program. This was for a younger audience of kids who don't know how to read quite yet. They did all sorts of things, from dancing and singing to playing.

This was my time at the Washington Public Library. I would like to give a special thanks to Carry Ann and the rest of the staff for not only giving me the opportunity to learn about the job but also igniting a new appreciation for libraries all over.