Learning How To Say Goodbye

As an early career librarian, I often think of myself as a seedling as I try to absorb as many nutrients of knowledge and experience as possible while figuring out how and where to put down roots. I recently have decided that I will be transplanting to new soil in New England. That means that I am spending much of the end of this semester, which is often a time for farewells to graduating students, figuring out how to say goodbye and thank you to the place where I was first planted professionally.

I feel very grateful to have had so many opportunities to work with students, colleagues, and faculty to grow programs relating to the Library’s instruction, reference, and outreach during my two academic years at W&J. I am doing my best to document that work so that it can hopefully continue after this semester, and minimize any loss of institutional knowledge or connections by getting out ahead of my departure. It is a fascinating reflective exercise that has allowed me to appreciate what I’ve been able to accomplish and how I’ve grown as a librarian. Despite all of this, I often find myself wondering if I should be doing something else.  I would love to hear from others if there are other things that you wish your predecessor had done or wish you had done as you closed one chapter of your career.

This transplant is similar to the one that I made when I moved to Pittsburgh for my current position – I am not only saying farewell to this chapter of my career, but also to my life in this city. My museum checklist may or may not get completed, but I am so grateful to this city that gave me so much joy. I am beyond excited to move back to New England and for all of the opportunities with this new chapter in my career. If anyone has any recommendations for out-of-state moving, I would also love to hear them.

I hope to be able to still contribute to this engaging online community, but I also would like to thank you, the community of “It’s Academic” for sharing your innovative ideas and the reality of your day-to-days negotiating campus politics, new technologies, and more. Reading your articles, contributing my own, and being a part of this community has helped me to grow as a librarian. Thank you!