Library stories

Michelle Coxsen

Over the past 10 years, Michelle Coxsen AALIA (CP) has moved from being a library technician to a librarian to a teacher and back again. In this edition of ‘Library stories’, Michelle breaks down the five key things that helped her transition between roles and how she was able to look after herself when her career took her down different paths.

Find a mentor

I can’t emphasise enough how important mentors can be in your career. They have helped me set goals, be reasonable and think clearly. I have found library professionals to be immensely generous with their time and advice. For my transition into teaching, I joined the ALIA Mentoring Scheme and was matched with the perfect mentor. She helped me navigate my new career and helped me to be reasonable with my goals and expectations.

How do you get a mentor? Research leaders that work in libraries where you would like to eventually work. Send your potential mentor an email introducing yourself and briefly outlining what you are working on and what you want to do. Ask them to be your mentor. It has been that simple for me. Also, as mentioned, ALIA offers the chance for you to be matched up with a mentor. More information about the ALIA Mentoring Scheme can be found here.

Set goals

The reason I wanted to teach was because I admired one of my teachers and wanted to become a teacher like her. She was working as a librarian at a university and teaching was her part time job. I made it a goal of one day following in her footsteps. I got the university job as a librarian and, four years later, started teaching library studies. When I found out I got my teaching position, I emailed her. She agreed to meet with me to give me her advice. This showed me the importance of having clear, attainable goals and, again, having mentors.

Patience

It took me two years to become a library technician, nine years to become a librarian, and twenty years to become a teacher. Everything takes time and sometimes enthusiasm can make it hard to be patient, as you want your goals to be fulfilled ASAP. Patience helps you to focus on what you need to learn and appreciate what you have now. Being grateful for what you have can help you to be patient. I practise gratitude daily by using an app. Being grateful slips nicely into mindfulness. It helps you to think in the moment by acknowledging the present and being grateful for it.

Talk it out

When I don’t talk about my problems or goals, they become bigger and harder to manage. Talking to my mentors and/or a counsellor has been invaluable over the years, and I appreciate their perspective. Having someone say ‘I understand’ or ‘maybe scale back some of your goals, you have a lot on your plate’ is immensely helpful. Find someone you can trust to talk to and/or write down your feelings and goals.

Look after yourself

Not everything works out and that is fine. Despite meticulously planning, goals may not come to fruition. What you do have control over is looking after yourself. Make yourself a priority. What can you do every day or every week that you love to help you to unwind and refocus? Can you spend time with your loved ones? Can you get a massage or go for a walk? You don’t need to spend a lot of money. Curling up with a good book you borrowed from your library can be your bliss. Working in libraries has been mine.

Michelle Coxsen