New position

My time at the University of the Sciences library and at the Welsh Road branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia has come to an end.  Sad, but true.

Now I will be embarking on a new adventure as the Young Adult Reference Librarian at the Abington Township Public Library. I cannot believe my luck! I get to join one of the busiest public libraries in Montgomery County. I get to work with teens. I get to do exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated library school. My excitement cannot be contained!

It is sad, though, to leave the two part-time jobs I currently have. Yesterday, I broke the news of my leaving to an Iraqi mother who brings in her 3 boys consistently for homework help at Welsh Road. She kept saying, “What am I going to do without you? Who will help my kids? Can I come to the new library where you will be working?” I tried to assure her that they would fill my position as quickly as possible and that in the meantime, the teen assistants would still be working and could help her kids. Still, she was sad. She gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek before she left. It’s things like that that make me realize what an impact I’ve had working with these kids. Most of them are English Language Learners, not native to this country. I’m doing valuable work by providing them with quality homework help in a safe environment after school. Some children’s grades have even improved as a result of coming to the program. When I can see results like that, it validates all that I’ve been working for.

I plan to keep up with my blog but now within the scope of my new job at Abington.