So, being hooked on reading, I followed authors through high school and into college. At Trinity in Vermont (the small women’s college, not the big Hartford university), I majored in English, did the yearbook/literary magazine, and spent some time in the small, dusty library…but more hours in the larger, more updated facilities at UVM and St. Michael’s.

I graduated with my B.A., went to writing greeting cards at Rust Craft in Dedham, and got married. After several years, I had my first daughter, and stayed home to raise her.

While raising three daughters, we frequented the Millis Public Library, and eagerly joined the Story Hour group, as well as the Summer Reading program. When my oldest started school, I began the route as Library Mother for kindergarten, volunteering for helper in the school library, and then running the Book Drive and Book Sale. Finally, in 1997, I took the job of Library Aide in the elementary school.
 
The Middle…
For the next five years, I worked in the library and ‘developed’ programs, events, and activities for the students. The head librarian, who was retiring in a few years, was overwhelmed with running back and forth, covering three schools. So, I started the “Read Across America” read-a-thons, the ‘community guest readers’ events, Arthur’s birthday party, and more. Within that time, I also began working towards certification as a Library Media Specialist (the name at that time.)

I applied for a Provisional Certificate, and went through the ‘Review Panel’ process, where I was assessed by a group of Librarians and Educators from the DOE. My certification depended upon my taking graduate courses. So, as my own kids were running to softball, dance, and tennis, I started the evening commute to Bridgewater, to complete my requirements.
 
A year later, my courses were finished, but so was the program at BSC. What’s more, the Library Director had retired, and I didn’t get the job. Two more years would pass – and four library teachers – before the position was offered to me. Then, no sooner had I obtained the part-time Library Teacher position at the elementary school, when the full-time position at the Middle/High School opened, and I switched gears. It was three weeks before school opened, and I was in a new slot.
 
The end??
This is my fourth year at the Middle/High School, and it’s been anything but smooth
At the start of my job here, I faced a two-year countdown to NEASC.  With the “on/off” status of library aides, I enlisted the help of students, parents and senior citizens to weed, clean, and re-figure the library at this school. Through the support of the school committee, we refurbished the collection, adding to the core needs for the frameworks as well as putting age-appropriate material on the shelf for the 5th to 12th  grade students. In addition, we began automation. All in all, it took nearly two years to update and automate our collection.
 
Our library programs have also progressed. We added the “Read Across America” celebration as well as monthly contests and such favorite ‘reading events’ as “Scary Stories” and “Senior Story Time”. For the past few years, we also began having the Scholastic Book Fair and Barnes and Noble book fairs. In addition, we’ve started book talking, Book Groups, Literary Lunch and Storytellers Group, too. Next year, we’re hoping to finish our Library Plan, as well as continue with our popular programs.
 
Since starting in Millis in 2002, I finished my master’s through Cambridge College, received my Professional Status, and had two children finish high school, enter college, and last month, saw my oldest daughter  graduate from Lehigh. Still, I’ve got my youngest 17-year-old in school with me…not something I would highly recommend!

Yet I’m excited about being involved with the Media Forum Online. I’ve received such support over the years, through the listserv and the conference. It’s a good way to give back to those who have been so helpful.
 
And the fun never ends…