Emily Bruce (MSLIS '17) has found school librarianship to be challenging but rewarding in the six years she has worked in the field. Bruce has experience working in elementary, junior high, and high school libraries, and she currently serves as the librarian at Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana. Her favorite part of being a school librarian is restoring libraries to their full potential—going through old collections, removing unused resources, and finding new items for individuals to use and enjoy.
"I think it's important to connect students to the resources they need, but more importantly, the resources they want," she said. "So many people believe they hate reading, when the real problem is that they haven't found what they like yet. I love changing people's minds about the library."
It was after job shadowing her cousin, Holly (Pantle) Williams, that Bruce chose school librarianship for her future career. The interaction with students and teachers and work behind the scenes, combined with her love of reading, made the job "a natural fit."
"The overwhelming majority of the public think librarians sit and read all day, and we need people who can help change that view. Librarianship in schools has its challenges, but the longer you're in one position, the more rewarding it becomes. It's truly my dream job," she said.
Bruce is thankful for the "amazing connections" she made during her iSchool education. She continues to network with her former classmates and professors and enjoys promoting school librarianship to future students, especially those who are willing to serve as advocates for libraries in schools.
Learn more about the school librarian licensure program.