Just a librarian/join the ranks

[Mary Ellen Roberts <mroberts@UMD5.UMD.EDU>]

When my classroom colleagues think the job of the school library media
specialist looks greener from their side of the pasture, I agree that I
have the greatest job in the school and encourage them to become a media
specialist.  I usually go on and on about the best parts of the
job---never knowing what is going to walk in the door, the fast
pace--changing focus every few minutes, the opportunity to spend my
time reading reviews and children's books at home evenings and
weekends, the excitement of getting to know every child in the school,
observing the interactions of siblings and families, the sheer diversity of
the job, having a long term relationship with children rather than just a
year, the opportunity to work personally with every staff member, the
challenge of being made to grow in the technology realm or being left
outside the profession, the instructional opportunities with students--of
course I could go on and on--they usually just don't know what to say,
and actually, I have recruited a few!  Those are the fun ones, especially
when they come back in a few years and say " I had no idea, but I love
it."