I'm a Librarian!

I had forgotten how I liked to write. I've spent a good part of my life journaling and always find that putting thoughts and emotions into concrete words on paper (or screen) helps tremendously. 

I haven't forgotten how I love to read. 

That, and having a mother who was a librarian lead me to become a librarian as a 2nd act career. And I love it! 

After some health issues and burnout on teaching, I found a part time job at a library working for a former co-worker. One thing led to another and I am now the Head Librarian at a branch of our city library system.

If you haven't been to a library lately, I think you'll be surprised at how much things have changed and how much things are still the same. We still have books and children's programs and helpful librarians. We still welcome anyone and everyone. We still offer materials for people of all beliefs, ideologies, and political positions. 

Now we also offer libraries of things - like tools and camping gear and toys. We have a makerspace (trendy term for lots of cool equipment that helps you create things from your ideas) which contains laser cutters, vinyl printers, t-shirt presses, sewing machines, 3D printers and so on. We also have programs for adults and teens and tweens. We teach genealogy, have crafting programs, watch movies, and have exhibits. It is a really fun place. 

You may not realize what librarians do and don't do these days. We don't read books all day. We don't say "shhhh" very much  (I've only said "shhhh" one or two times in the five years I've been there). We do teach computer skills, help patrons log into their email, help folks apply for jobs and programs, assist them in printing and faxing and scanning, and provide notary services. We listen to lonely older folks, encourage young parents, and connect families and children. We teach families and children about gardening, nature, science, being creative, and of course reading. We help tweens and teens have a safe place to hang out. The job of a librarian is all that and so much more. 

And I love it!

Please Vote Thoughtfully 2024

I am sad about what many of my friends, my family, and my fellow Christians are saying about the upcoming election. 

I don’t understand how you don’t see what I see. 

I don’t understand why you don’t look for what’s true, what’s good, what’s right. I don’t understand why you blindly follow instead of checking facts and objectively seeking truth.

I watch the news and hear speeches, read articles and watch videos and I see speeches filled with racism, hatred of women, disregard for violence in our schools, calls for treason and dictatorship, and incoherence. 

I see off the cuff comments that cause people groups to be persecuted, hated, and hurt. 

I see a candidate who is a convicted felon, a bully, a rapist, a narcissist, a director of a coup, and a thief. 

This candidate is not a Christian, not anti-abortion, not a respecter of life or a protector of humanity. 

He lies to us and some believe it because we are concerned about things that matter to us personally and things that have traditionally been platforms of his party. His lies make you afraid - of people of color, of immigrants, of an economic crash, of the loss of democracy. Democracy includes the right to vote and the peaceful transition of power. This man isn’t interested in these things. 

I know that you are concerned about abortion and the right to life. We have to remember that Jesus valued all lives - sinners, prostitutes, women, immigrants, children, and even tax collectors. He wants us to love and protect the innocent and care for those in need which includes the women who give birth to those babies they didn’t abort and are now alone with no food, no home, no education. He wants us to care about people who can’t get healthcare and people who legally come to our country. He wants us to care about people who are different from us.

Jesus calls for kindness and respect. He didn’t preach about hate, fear, and division but about love and acceptance. 

We have come to a point where we need to evaluate character over what we perceive as safety and ethics over what we have traditionally believed to be the most important issues. 

I can’t vote for someone who stands so directly in opposition to all that I believe. I care about so many of the things that you do but I don’t believe that this man will protect our values, our democracy, and our lives and neither will his running mate. 

 

Followers of Jesus, are we really going to become followers of man at the expense of truth and love and honesty? We don’t have to agree with everything the other candidates say but it’s time to stand up and vote thoughtfully and not blindly.  Please research, consider and pray before you vote.

Thank you.

Reboot - Things Have Changed

 I wanted to post a few things but I also wanted to let you know that many of my views stated in previous posts have changed. I'll try to make notes on those as I get time.

Thanks!

Brooke