Library Myths Debunked

Photo Credit: Pixabay

So Larkynn, what can you tell us about your profession?

1. No, I do not get paid to sit around and read books all day (sadly).

I actually don't have time to read books for fun while on the clock. There are far too many other tasks I have to get done in the day! I guess there could be places where this is something a librarian could do--but so far, I have yet to find one! I do read several books on my own free time to supplement my knowledge of my library collection and strengthen my readers' advisory skills.  It's a lot easier to suggest a book or help someone find a book they might like if I am familiar with books they have already read and enjoyed.

Also, I do enjoy reading for fun. Let's be honest for a moment here, what kind of librarian/aspiring author would I be if I didn't  like reading?!?

2. Yes, I do get paid to do my job...

So the stories I have about this particular myth could fill a novel--I think it's just one of those things that comes with working with the public. I try my best to take this common question in stride. I don't think most people mean for this to come across as offensive, and they really do make for great party stories and ice breakers. I do have to tell you that this myth is at least founded in logic. In some areas, libraries are run by volunteers.  Mine, however, is not.

3. I did not major in Library Science.

So this is something important to touch on. There are different levels of librarianship. I am a level I. My job simply requires a bachelor's degree in any subject area and post-degree, college level courses that pertain specifically to my position. However, if I wanted to be a Librarian II or part of the management team, I would need to have a Masters in Library and Information Science. The requirements for library positions vary state by state and system by system. If you're interested in working in a library, my best advice is this: do your research. In this field of work, academic and public libraries alike, you'll be doing lots of research!

4. Technology is not making libraries obsolete.

As a matter of fact, the more technology changes, the more people in my community rely on me and my coworkers to help them figure out the nuances of each update and new device. Libraries are not static places of just paper and ink. They are fluid information hubs and community centers; wells of knowledge that transcend pages and screens.

I could go on and on about how important libraries are and how my job is so much more than books. But I don't want to bore you. Just know that libraries are built for the communities they serve and that libraries are just as much about the people as they are the pages. If you haven't been to your local library in a while, you should stop in and visit. You might just be surprised by the different services, materials, and programs they provide! (And if I'm preaching to the choir here, just tell me to move on to the next blog already!)

--Larkynn

Zoo Day!

So yesterday, my fiance and I were visiting our local zoo, and of course I just have to tell you about it! First of all, our local zoo is awesome—and yes, I have been before (several times, I assure you). But I am so torn about zoos. I love visiting them and seeing all of the animals. We have made several different trips just to visit zoos within a day’s drive and I love it. If we didn’t have zoos I would never have seen so many amazing animals. It’s just not in my budget to travel around to see exotic animals in their natural habitat. Nor do I have the patience, honestly. So I absolutely adore zoos, right?

I do! But on the other hand, a part of me will always be saddened by them as well. Some of the animals look so sad, cooped up in display pens with only a few (if any) companions.  Just because they’ve never tasted freedom doesn’t mean they don’t yearn for it. Also, the idea of being stuck in a place I couldn’t leave drives me crazy. I can’t imagine what it would be like for a wild animal living in a zoo. I feel like I’m betraying all of the beautiful animals I see by enjoying their zoos.

As a Biology major (wait a second, Larkynn—you said that you were a Spanish Major in your last post! Were you lying? Nope! I graduated with two bachelor’s degrees. One in Spanish and one in Biology.) I understand the importance of observing animals and conserving them. It’s the Biologist in me that enjoys learning about the animals and getting to view them in the zoos! But there is a part of me that also wants to make sure that the animals in captivity are well taken care of. There are several articles available on the topic, but reading through them can make your head spin. One helpful site I found belonged to AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), an organization that monitors the welfare of animals in zoos and aquariums. They only hand out accreditation when facilities provide proof that they are currently up to date with the most recent animal welfare guidelines. Did your zoo make the list? Check out their website here: https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list

Thorny Devil

Mine did! Also, I promise that my visit to the zoo was awesome. There were lots of children on fieldtrips, learning about all of the amazing animals and how to protect them. A LOT of the snakes were also in motion yesterday! Several of them were eagerly following people around—which was really awesome—but also kind of creepy. It made me feel a little bit like an appetizing snake snack… I also saw a really creepy looking bug that I’ve never seen before, and sincerely hope to never meet in the wild… It was called a Thorny Devil Stick Insect. (Nope, totally not my hand. I wish I would have taken a picture of the guy in the enclosure. As it is, this is a free photo I borrowed from Google.)

I even met a peacock who loved having her picture taken! This is one of the many photos I took of her while at the zoo. See? She’s a natural diva!

--Larkynn

Two Truths & a Lie

Hello, World! Let’s start this blog with the game Two Truths and a Lie. I’ll go first!

My name is Larkynn de la Fuerza. I am an aspiring author and a librarian.

Can you guess which one is the lie? If you guessed my name—you’re not wrong. I am Larkynn de la Fuerza, but obviously that’s not my real name. As a librarian, I work with the public and I want to keep my job as it is—drama and judgment free. That is, as drama and judgment free as working with the public gets…

Lark

Okay, so Larkynn de la Fuerza is a pen name—but where did it come from? Good question. “De la fuerza” means “of the strength” in Spanish. And yes, even though you wouldn’t know it by looking at me, I am Hispanic. I also majored in Spanish in college and absolutely love the language. It simply sounds like magic to me (no, sadly I’m not a native speaker—but I have relatives that are). “Larkynn” comes from the word “lark” which is a type of songbird. Together, the name means, “minstrel of strength”—a name fitting of an aspiring author with strong, independent characters that kick ass in the name of love, honor, and loyalty.

With that being said—my characters are strong where I am weak. Giving myself such a courageous name, “singer of strength”, is kind of a misnomer, really. For one, I do not sing well. Secondly, I am not brave in the slightest. I’m actually a huge coward. I’m terrified of offending people, sounding stupid, and stepping outside of my comfort zone. But when I write, I have the freedom to step into the shoes of a braver person. Some people seek real-life thrills like roller-coasters, haunted houses or sky diving. For me, nightmares and stories (my own and those of others) are enough of an adrenaline rush to get me through the day.  

On the other hand, I have been told by my writers’ group that I am required to warn you: my stories do not only test my courage—they will test yours as well.

Welcome to my blog, dear readers! I hope it serves you well and that my crazy will not scare you (too much).

—Larkynn