School librarianship a “dream job” for Bruce

Emily Bruce

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.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

ISAA seeks nominations for annual awards

The iSchool Alumni Association (ISAA) is seeking nominations for three distinguished awards. The awards are given annually at the iSchool alumni reception held at the American Library Association conference. The deadline for nomination is April 1, 2023.

Alma Mater

Berger authors second edition of The Dictionary of the Book

Adjunct Professor Sidney Berger (MSLIS '87) has authored a new book that will provide readers with a definitive glossary of book-related terminology. In The Dictionary of the Book: A Glossary for Book Collectors, Booksellers, Librarians, and Others (2nd Edition), which was recently published by Rowman & Littlefield, he brings “the vocabulary and theory of bookselling and collecting into the modern commercial and academic world” through the addition of more than 700 new entries. 

Sidney Berger

PhD at 75: Noah Lenstra

The PhD degree program at the iSchool celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023. This profile is part of a special series featuring PhD alumni. Noah Lenstra (MSLIS '09, CAS '11, PhD '16) is associate professor of library and information science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Noah Lenstra

Benson to share copyright expertise in new roles

Sara Benson (MSLIS '17), adjunct associate professor at the iSchool and copyright librarian and associate professor at the University Library, was recently named a senior policy fellow for the American Library Association's Public Policy and Advocacy Office and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) representative to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). 

Sara Benson

Get to know Samip Mallick, SAADA executive director

Samip Mallick (MSLIS '11) is the executive director and co-founder of SAADA, the South Asian American Digital Archive. He is proud of how his organization's work creates a place of belonging for the South Asian American community.

Samip Mallick