A Discussion About the Future of Libraries and the Profession

Interview With Geeta Halley on July 15th

The field of public libraries is dynamic and adaptable to the needs of its users. Libraries honor and protect the freedom of expression and access to information without prejudice. Being a Public Librarian is more than just knowing how to give reader's advisory and answering reference questions it is also all about providing good customer service in areas not related to information. Through my conversation with Geeta, I hope to learn what it takes to be a good librarian and what libraries look for in future employees. I hope to get a good sense from Geeta about the future libraries will play in the community.

What is your background? How long have you been a librarian, how long have you been in your position, and how long have you been at RRPL? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Geeta has had quite a career trajectory. Twenty-five years ago, she moved to the US from India, where she had been an English teacher. When she moved and started substituting here, she quickly realized that the American public education system is vastly different from what she was used to in India. One day in the classifieds, she noticed a job opening at a library's circulation desk. She loved reading, so she thought the job would entail sitting at a desk and reading. She did not have much experience with public libraries in India, so it was a huge learning curve when she started working for one in the states. Two years after she started working, her library offered to pay for her to go to school. She enrolled in an online master's program through the University of Wisconsin in 2000. Geeta commented that this was one of the very first online programs in the country. After graduation, she moved into Youth Services for two years and then into cataloging for two years. She then moved to Round Rock as a cataloger. After two years as a cataloger in Round Rock, she got the Public Services Manager position which then transitioned into the Library Assistant Director position she has now and has done for three years. In five years, she sees herself in the same position or a data analysis position outside the public library sector.

Where do you see the future of libraries and librarianship?

Geeta sees the future of libraries as places that are gathering spaces for the community. She believes the future of libraries will be places that inspire creativity and not just warehouses for books.

She doesn't see a bright future for graduate school students if they plan on becoming public librarians. She commented that getting into a very hard job because no one ever leaves. She, however, sees so much potential for students in the field to get private sector jobs in data analysis and technical services.

One interesting comment that she made is that librarians in the future need to be more safety aware. The threat of gun violence is so prevalent in our society that librarians will need to be more aware of how to keep the public safe in library spaces. 

What are your goals for the new library and the community?

Round Rock Public Library is building a brand new space that is opening in Mid February of next year. She hopes they will continue to provide the services and programming they offer, but in a bigger space. She hopes all library departments will learn to be as dynamic and innovative as the Youth Services department at RRPL.

She also hopes that the community will utilize the new library space more. She believes that libraries are underutilized all over America. Libraries are such valuable treasures that Americans take for granted what libraries offer. Geeta commented that so many people in other countries would love to have the services and wealth of information offered here in American public libraries.

What is your professional philosophy of practice? What do you see as the main goal of a library and librarian?

Geeta emphasized that libraries are more than just warehouses for books. She believes that they should be conduits of information that support creators. Libraries should be places where creativity can take place and made the analogy of being places that are like kitchens and patrons are the cooks. Libraries are spaces for the public to utilize and be creative. 

What does an ideal librarian candidate look like?

She feels that an ideal library candidate is flexible and adaptable. Libraries and Librarians need to be able to change with the times. She has definitely seen a change in her 25 years in the profession. She started off having to organize card catalogs; now, catalogs are completely digital. She likes to know that candidates have worked in jobs where they had to adapt and think on their feet. Geeta also stated that the ideal candidate is resilient and has emotional intelligence. She prefers candidates with strong people skills who know how to go out into the community.

As library students, we learn best practices and theories of librarianship. What real-world practical skill do you wish library students came out of grad school?

Geeta told me the title of a book, "What They Didn't Teach You in Library School." She said that everyone coming out of grad school should read this book. One very real-world skill she says that librarians need is building management. She says that managing the building, even down to the plumbing, is just as important as knowing how to work with patrons. 

Conclusion

It was a pleasure to talk to Geeta about her library path and the future she sees for public libraries. One of the biggest lessons I learned from talking to Geeta is that you have to be willing to take chances with your career and the opportunities that come your way. She entered so many positions thinking they would not be a good fit for her and with many deficits, but these allowed her to grow. I have often thought that my idealism of what a public library should be was naive. It was reassuring that Geeta shares my ideals about everything I thought a public library should be. It was interesting that everything that Geeta listed as an ideal librarian was soft skills and not necessarily the academic skills that you learn in school.  Despite not seeing a lot of potential for librarian jobs, she told me about a position opening soon that she wants me to apply for.

Geeta and I at the Library

Sara Gandaría-Escamilla 

Geeta Halley, Site Supervisor 

Practicum Schedule