Editor’s Note: Why We Do What We Do

By Sharon Verbeten

See this picture below? That’s the root of why we do what we do.

When my friend, Jillaine, sent me this picture of her son Max and daughter Harper reading together—unprompted and unposed!—I knew I had to share it with other librarians. It warms my heart to see these littles sharing their love of books together—even if both are too small to read the literal words.

To me it’s the perfect picture of early literacy and what drives us all in our daily lives. From planning fun storytimes to engaging parents, being a children’s librarian is, quite simply, one of the most rewarding careers.

Preaching to the choir? Yes, but sometimes in the midst of budget constraints, staffing shortages, disgruntled patrons, wild afterschool kids, and employee squabbles, we might overlook the little stuff that really matters.

Kids remember the smallest things. The hand motions to Itsy Bitsy Spider. The dancing hippo hand stamp. That crazy “Alabama, Mississippi” song Miss Sharon sings—loudly!—at storytime each week.

What they’ll really remember is YOU, doing what you do—modeling something as simple as holding a book, paging through a book, singing a silly song, or reading a rhyme. Simply engage.

We really DO have the best jobs on earth! &

Max may be too little to read, but he loves sharing a book with his new baby sister, Harper. Photo by Jillaine Sturdivant.