School Library Journal

At this year’s TEDxAustin—an annual event that brings together leaders in technology, science, and design—the theme was ‘Fear Less.’ For librarians and educators, this might be our motto. Fear limits possibilities. It keeps us from venturing out on that limb, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries. In a fearful state, we focus on our limitations and the judgment of others, which hampers our ability to do what’s best for kids.

Librarians are out there making things just a little better one person at a time in the city around you. That is our service. You sleep easier at night knowing that the cops and firefighters are on the job, don’t you feel even a little better knowing librarians are working in your community as well? Nobody is suggesting that we risk our lives in the line of duty, we don’t. We are public servants like they are though and we do interact very directly with the public just as they do. Sometimes we have even more direct and frequent contact with the public than the siren services. In our quiet, anonymous way, we set our shoulder to the wheel of their problems and issues and we leverage all the knowledge and resources we can muster for them. We care, and that is why you should care.