Beginning Again: The Journey Back to School Librarianship
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I accepted the opportunity to return to a public school as a middle school library media specialist in July 2025. Since 2020, I've enjoyed a long stint as an Army National Guard Warrant Officer, both full-time and part-time. Most recently, I worked in public library management full-time. During the entire journey since 2020, I've missed the interactions I had as a school librarian. So I've come full circle. It is exciting to be back after 5 years away from this part of the profession.
Beginning Again
It is overwhelming in many ways to return. At the time of this writing, I've only spent 8 days with students. There are new books, new authors, new standards, new teachers, and new technologies. I'm also in a newer school facility. I actually worked in this district years ago during my last year as a school band director before transitioning to school librarianship in 2008. The facility is new and updated compared to where I worked my last year in education. Let's just say, I am beginning again. It is exciting! There are new students and teachers to help and build relationships with. There are new connections to be made in the school, community, state, country, and world. One of the things I like about education is that it is always evolving. No two class periods are alike. No two school years are alike. No two school districts are alike. The map of this journey will unfold every day as we explore and adapt to what the learning community needs.
Physical Space
The Malvern Middle School Library Media Center serves grades 7 and 8. There are approximately 260 students in the school. The library space is near the entrance of the building. It has seating and tables for a standard class size of around 28-30 students. We have access to two large screens (one is a TV and the other is a Promethean Board). The library's fiction collection has been organized by genre. I am really excited about this. It is a terrific organization method for kids to be able to find what they want. We have Chromebooks and desktop computers. There is also a workspace with a laminator, a Cricut, and other various organizational tools. Click below to get a walk-through tour of my first day of school.
Network and Relationships
I do not work well in a vacuum. Since returning to school library work, I have reached out to many of my former colleagues. One of my special connections was with Elizabeth Hutchinson of York, England. She reached out to me in 2016 and after that we connected many times for collaborations with our students and teachers. We spent one morning this summer discussing school libraries, AI, and more. I have also spent time talking to Dr. Brian Johnson of Springdale, Arkansas. We have connected our schools many times in the past (and I hope to find opportunities to do more of this). He is always trying innovative activities with the students and teachers at Springdale's Lakeside Junior High School.
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| Morning WhatsApp visit with Elizabeth Hutchinson in York, England |
I have been sharing ideas in Northeastern Arkansas with Joni Collier, the Library Media Specialist (LMS) at Wynne Junior High School. In addition I have connected with local Malvern School District LMSs at the Intermediate School (Olivia Martin) and High School (Ashley Nelson). I love to collaborate and share ideas. I will continue talking with everyone that I can to make sure I'm on the right track as I start this new journey. I am also working daily to get to know the students and teachers I serve. Each day provides new opportunities to show the value of the school library to the learning community at Malvern Middle School. That will provide countless possibilities as the year progresses. Anything is possible in a school library.
Looking Ahead
I have found that most of the many book series, graphic novels, and manga I remember from my last year as a school librarian (2019-2020) are still popular. I've been working with the kids to find what books are missing in any specific series so I can replace them or order the latest and greatest. I want to know it all now, but it will take time to get familiar with the collection at the level I want to be at.
I am amazed at how quickly AI is evolving. I look at this as a powerful opportunity to help students learn the ethics of AI usage with best practices. I am surprised at how many students aren't aware of how AI can help them learn. It is truly amazing! I also see countless opportunities to partner with teachers in using these emerging technologies. It is an exciting time to return to education. I plan to share a blogpost soon illustrate my initial attempts to use AI in the school library.
Conclusion
It feels wonderful to reflect in this blog space again. It is refreshing to be back seeing kids and teachers each day. I look forward to learning everything I can to help those I serve. I hope to connect to many new friends in the profession as the year progresses. I can't wait to see what happens next! I'd love to hear how your school year is kicking off—share your story in the comments below!
