Change is a-comin'

I don't know if I have any loyal readers.  I like to think that I do.  So I'm going to address this blog post to you, my loyal readers.  I think most people have heard that I have accepted the library position at Campbell Middle School.  My last day at Marshall Lane will be Friday, February 7.

I know this seems sudden.  That's because it was.  I had no plans to change jobs a couple weeks ago.  I love my job at Marshall Lane.  And although I could have done it forever, deep down, I knew that I wouldn't.  I had always thought about moving to one of the middle schools if the library job opened up but that never seemed likely.  Then suddenly, the librarian at CMS gave notice.  It was a shock to me and the other library clerks in the district when our colleague quit.

And then there it was.  The Opportunity.

At first, I told myself I would apply just out of curiosity.  I said things like 'even if they offer it to me, it doesn't mean I have to take it.'  But then they did offer it me.  And I thought 'oh, what have I done?' I asked for time to think about it, but I think I already knew I was going to say yes.  Mr. Richards said "If you didn't want it, you wouldn't have applied."  Of course, he's right.

And so for the last three days I've been telling teachers, students and parents that I'm leaving for another school.  And it's breaking my heart.  Each class I tell my news to answers back "No!" and it makes me cry.  I'm crying now as I write this.  I'm so terribly sad to leave this place.  I've spent the last 13 years building this library into the best it can be, building relationships with the staff, getting the right books in to students' hands and I'm so proud of what I've done here.

But I also believe that every student in our district deserves a library as good as ours at the very least. If I can do for CMS what I've done for Marshall Lane, perhaps we can set a new standard for all the libraries in the district.  It's a lofty dream, I know, but a worthy one.  I plan to advocate for our library clerks to work a full school day so that the library is accessible to all students and teachers throughout the day, and to have a budget to buy new materials.

Anyway, I hope that helps you understand why I'm going.  I'm not sure what will happen to this blog yet.  It's registered to me so I will probably just change the name and it will become the Campbell Middle School Library Blog.  I'm looking forward to reading some YA literature but I'm sure going to miss the picture books.

Here's some more Fuzzy-Grams to make me cry some more:

"Thank you for organizing the books in the library.  Also thank you for helping us find books to read."

"You have been our librarian for so long and I appreciate it.  Thank you."

"Thank you for helping out the library. I love to read."

"You are such a kind and helpful librarian.  You're very patient with other kids and you always have a positive attitude. Thank you so much for being our school librarian."

And that's all I can take.

I love you guys.