Part One
Hosted by Patti Callahan Henry
We all love libraries, but do we truly understand what our beloved librarians do for us? I recently returned from a three-day journey through Arkansas for “If All Arkansas Read One Book” where they chose The Secret Book of Flora Lea as their state-wide read. During this trip, I spent time with three dedicated librarians, delving into the challenges our libraries face today and exploring their multifaceted roles.
From the northern reaches of the state to the southern tips and central hubs, I visited libraries in both bustling cities and quaint towns. I witnessed firsthand the disparities in funding, especially where libraries are needed the most. Yet, what struck me most profoundly was the unwavering dedication of our librarians to serve their communities.
The trip left me with a compelling realization: we need to share the true story of our librarians' work. It’s easy to think of librarians as the kind faces at the desk checking out our books, recommending new novels, or reading to our children during story time. While these tasks are important, they are just a small part of what librarians do.
On our Friends and Fiction Show, we often ask novelists, “What is your book about, and what is it really about?” Today, I want to ask our librarians, “What is your job, and what do you REALLY do?” What unfolds behind the scenes?
I am joined by our Friends & Fiction resident librarian, Ron Block, to discuss the ever-evolving roles of librarians and the unseen efforts that keep our libraries vibrant and essential. Together we are welcoming three incredible library professionals to help us uncover the heart of our libraries and the heroes behind the bookshelves: HALLIE RICH (the Editor-in-Chief of Library Journal and a former executive with Ohio’s Cuyahoga County Public Library), TERAH SHELTON HARRIS (an author and a former Deputy Director for Alabama’s Dothan Houston County Library System), and JENNIFER CHILCOAT (Director of the Arkansas State Library). See their full bios at the end.
In a couple days we will publish a second installment in this chat where Ron will be joined by Virginia Stanley, the Director of Library Marketing at HarperCollins, to share another perspective on this fascinating profession and reveal how book publishing houses interface with our libraries all around the country.
Ron, let’s get this started. I think that a single word librarian covers such a wide array of jobs.
Can you give us a brief overview of the various kinds of librarians?
Ron: Ready to have your mind blown? I think people will be surprised by how many vital and meaningful librarian career options there are. Of course, I know most about working in a public library, but I’ve also worked in an academic setting—which is very different. There are also librarian roles in all kinds of corporations, law offices, medical libraries, news networks, and beyond. The list also includes public schools, museums, and even prisons. Each specialty has its own focus and concentration of patrons served. My own coveted jobs when I was just beginning to work in libraries were to be the Librarian for the Culinary Institute of America, Head Librarian for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Librarian for MGM Studios.
When did you first know you wanted to be a librarian and was it anything like you expected from your degree to your job?
Hallie Rich: I never planned on getting my library degree, which is funny because I think that's the case for many librarians—people come to the profession from other careers. I spent the early part of my career doing communications work and management consulting, and an opportunity opened up in a marketing leadership role at one of the nation's best public library systems. I had the good fortune to move into that role, and once I was fully immersed in the incredible work of that library—and with the most amazing librarian mentor, Sari Feldman—I discovered that I had a real passion for library service because I loved the way the library had a real, substantive positive impact on the community.
Patti: Hallie, how amazing that the positive impact on the community is what inspired you to be a librarian. Sometimes what we love leads us to the work we are meant to do and we never planned on it. That’s what happened to me with writing novels.
Ron: I feel much the same. I began my library work just out of high school, never thinking I would make it a career. Over the years, I learned how important and fulfilling it was to share how impactful, entertaining and community-minded libraries could be. I took the plunge and pursued the degree!
Terah Shelton Harris: I stumbled into the library profession by accident. While working as a freelance writer, I noticed that my local library was hiring a part-time page. At the time, I had no idea what the role entailed, but I was intrigued by the idea of working in a library. Although I grew up surrounded by libraries, the thought of becoming a librarian never crossed my mind. Nevertheless, I decided to apply. Over the course of seventeen years, my journey has taken me from a library page to the deputy director at my library system, an evolution I could have never anticipated. I’ve learned that working in a library is different from what most people perceive or what is taught in library school. In my opinion, I believe the library profession is a career best learned through hands-on involvement and a willingness to tackle diverse challenges head-on.
Jennifer Chilcoat: When I was a college senior, I spent 10 months in Bonn, West Germany (yes, I’m that old!) as an exchange student. At the time I went, I told myself that I ultimately wanted to teach English as a second language—I was enthralled with linguistics and language acquisition. My plan was to pursue a master’s degree in applied linguistics when I returned to the U.S.
As I observed that job being done by others, however, I quickly started having second thoughts. It didn’t look like fun to me. Still, I knew that I needed to continue my education in order to improve my job prospects. I was at a standstill for several weeks, and I felt like it was crunch time. I simply couldn’t go back home without a plan. One day, I was out in the city, and someone asked me directions—I don’t even remember what. Just basic directions. For the first time in a long time, I both knew the answer and had the language skills to communicate it. It made me so happy, and I finally realized that providing answers to questions was one of my life’s greatest pleasures. I knew, practically at that very moment, what I needed to do. I filled out the application for the MLIS program at the University of Tennessee, and it was the best decision I could’ve possibly made!
Patti: I find it so inspiring that all three of you found your way to “librarian” through your passion for community and story. Jennifer, and your love of linguistics and providing answers brought you to being a librarian! Oh the many ways we find ourselves in our life's passion's work.
Ron: I continue to be so impressed by colleagues in the profession who all have vastly different paths to their work as librarians. If you were to survey a sampling you’d be amazed at the backgrounds, previous work experience, and adventures they brought into the fold. While many of the passions are similar, the career journeys are fascinating.
What do you think is the most pervasive myth about librarians?
Hallie: Don't librarians just sit around reading all day?? Because many people so strongly associate libraries with books, I think there’s a belief that the entirety of the job is reading and helping people find books. Of course, being knowledgeable about books and helping people find them is a part of the job, but librarians are information professionals who connect people to research resources, organize and access data, teach information literacy, collaborate with partners in communities, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, preserve and archive...it’s a much bigger job and broader profession than most people realize.
Terah: Many people hold the misconception that librarians spend their days reading books. This stereotype, deeply rooted in the traditional image of libraries, suggests that reading is the sole function of our jobs. Of course, I love to read and I would love to read all day, but the reality is quite different, especially in the current climate. In fact, there were days when I might not even handle a book. As Deputy Director of my library, my responsibilities extended far beyond reading. We offer essential resources such as computer and technology assistance, printing and faxing services, and much more. These services are crucial in helping our patrons navigate the digital world and address their everyday needs. While books remain a cornerstone of our work, the modern library is a dynamic space that supports a diverse array of functions.
Jennifer: I’m usually dismayed at the stereotypical way librarians are portrayed in popular culture: the book-reading introvert who protects her quiet spaces with a militant hush. But I think the most damaging myth is that being a librarian is easy work that barely requires any more training and education than what I received at my first job as a grocery store cashier. Like many professions, being a librarian is both an art and a science. You have to know, evaluate, and understand the universe of resources that are available but often hidden from plain view, and you have to have the social skills and “desk-side manner” to understand the true needs of the people you’re helping. You have to know social trends, anticipate shifting public needs, and, while you’re at it, balance a very tight budget. And you have to be politically savvy about keeping your institution in front of elected and appointed officials, business leaders, and educators. If we make it look easy, we’re just doing our jobs!
Patti: Hallie, Terah and Jennifer – I am laughing out loud that all three of your misconceptions and myths involve librarians just reading all day. The education and training that is required is so in-depth. Terah, as you said, “books remind you of the cornerstone,” but I'd love to shout about everything you do from the mountain tops!
Ron: I join the rest in stereotype frustrations! Luckily, I think these views are slowly changing with some very high profile librarians leading the charge to fight book bans, opening doors to support employment training, citizenship and ESL classes, and most important, equal access for all, making sure anyone who enters a library can see themselves on the shelf and feel represented. Big cheers to our groundbreaking Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden!
What are some of the tasks that might surprise readers that librarians do?
Hallie: When I worked at a large public library system, I was surprised by how much residents still relied on fax machines—and how much help they needed from staff to scan, copy, and print materials! The tasks that librarians do every day vary greatly depending on the needs of their community. In places where residents have low digital literacy skills, you might find librarians helping customers create email accounts or teaching basic computer skills. In an academic library, you might find a librarian collaborating with a faculty member on AI tools to analyze large data sets. In Ron Block's library, you might find him setting up a mobile kitchen, preparing to do a culinary literacy demonstration for an eager crowd! 🙂
Ron: Thanks, Hallie- it’s one of my favorite job roles. It’s important to share culinary and cultural literacy through food, which I consider the great unifier. I love building a curriculum to teach how to use unfamiliar ingredients, healthier options and dietary preferences. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing attendees from many backgrounds coming together for a fun and informative session. Beyond teaching, libraries also feed children and families through summer lunch programs, food distribution, and after school healthy snacks, often providing meals for those who might be suffering from food insecurity.
Terah: At our library, we are proud to be certified passport agents and notaries, which might come as a surprise to many. Traditionally, libraries have been perceived as repositories of books and quiet study spaces, so the inclusion of such specialized services can seem unexpected. However, I like to say that libraries evolve based on the changing needs of the people and communities we serve. Our commitment to providing essential services reaches far beyond the conventional. We recognize that libraries are not just places of learning but community hubs, and we strive to adapt and expand our offerings to ensure we meet every need that arises.
Jennifer: There are always a few people who are shocked and dismayed that libraries sometimes get rid of books. “Weeding,” as we aptly call it, is critical to keeping a library healthy, just like traditional weeding is necessary to keep a garden healthy. Books that give outdated information or that are no longer sought out by readers are a drain on the library and make it seem less relevant to the people who use it. Plus, we have to make room for all of the great, new stuff that our users want!
Patti: It’s really incredible all that is offered at our libraries beyond lending books, music, and videos. As my Friends & Fiction co-hosts and co-founders have been out on book tour and visiting libraries all around the country for in-person events, we’ve been amazed at the wide variety of services provided including the loaning of things like bicycles, fishing poles, gardening gear and seeds, baking equipment, musical instruments, sewing machines and arts-and-crafts supplies, even video cameras and podcasting tools.
What would you like readers to know about libraries’ biggest challenges right now?
Hallie: Of course, the rise in book challenges and passage of book ban legislation is alarming. There are librarians in certain areas of the country who are facing harassment or are losing their jobs because they have defended their community’s right to read. The positioning of libraries in a broader culture war has immediate, direct impact (books are literally being banned), but it also undermines the trust that people have in the library and other public institutions. That puts future funding at risk and will make it increasingly challenging to bring people into the library profession. The other challenge that I would cite has to do with the cost of digital content. Libraries sometimes pay 3-5 times what consumers pay for a single copy of an ebook or audiobook—and they often only “own” (it’s a license) that title for 1-2 years. As the popularity of digital collections grows, libraries have to be really smart about the ways they allocate their budget to ensure they can offer readers the titles they want in the formats they seek.
Terah: Libraries are undeniably essential and serve as the cornerstone of thriving communities. However, we are facing significant changes, including book challenges, inadequate funding, and low morale. Despite libraries’ crucial role, many people underestimate our importance, believing that modern technology has rendered libraries obsolete. This perception could not be further from the truth. As the digital divide continues to widen and the cost of technology rises, libraries play a vital role in bridging the gap between those with access to digital resources and those without. They address critical issues such as educational disparities and threats to access to information. Even if you don’t personally utilize library services, it’s important to recognize that many others rely on them to access the information and resources they need.
Jennifer: The coming year will be pivotal for libraries as billions of dollars flow into their states from federal programs like the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Digital Equity Act. Libraries have been at the forefront of providing digital access in their communities for decades, and it’s important that they have a voice now in how these dollars are spent. It is unlikely that we will see so much money brought to bear on this important issue again in our lifetimes, so the clock is literally ticking for us to make our voices heard.
Ron: I am so honored to be in conversation with you all. Your insightful thoughts on challenges facing libraries are spot on. It’s often said that libraries are the last fully democratic institution. Fighting for our community’s needs is vital to remain a refuge and valued resource for all.
What advice would you give someone thinking about entering the library profession?
Hallie: If you’re someone who likes to help people (and really cares about people), who likes to solve problems, and who enjoys learning, I think librarianship is an excellent profession! I’m amazed by the innovative programs and services librarians develop to support their communities. And, because no two communities are the same, there’s so much room to be creative. It’s also a field that’s constantly evolving to keep up with changes in technology and the changing nature of a local community, so it offers great opportunity to be entrepreneurial. My best advice is to stay curious!
Terah: Consider volunteering or working at your local public library. Connect with librarians who are currently working in the area you’re interested in to gain insights into the field. It’s important to have a realistic understanding of the profession. Additionally, familiarize yourself with how libraries are managed and funded, as having a comprehensive grasp of the library field is crucial for success.
Jennifer: In making any career decision, I think you have to feel some sort of passion for whatever it is you dedicate your life to. Your working years will likely represent the longest stretch of your life, so choosing a career for any reason other than your love of it—well, that’s something you should avoid if you can. There are lots of passions that do find a pleasant home in librarianship, so don’t limit yourself to a narrow stereotype of what librarians should do or what they should love. For me, it was a passion for providing answers. It could also be a passion for introducing the love of reading to children, for connecting with vulnerable teens, for helping college students write their papers, for helping professors conduct research, for helping attorneys win their cases, or any of a thousand other things. If you feel engaged and proud when you do these helpful things for others, you will love being a librarian
Ron: I absolutely agree with what you all have said. I often meet newly minted librarians through my work with the American Library Association who have made the mid-career switch to librarianship. Each brings a vast educational and work career to a profession that celebrates differences and offers so many opportunities to share their passion and expertise in this field that we’re all extremely devoted to. Their stories include volunteerism, community activism, a call to serve others, and a shared love of information, books, and people. I absolutely love that the path to librarianship takes many different roadways.
Be sure to share your thoughts about libraries and librarians in your own lives, and get ready for Part 2 of this roundtable chat, where we’ll take a look at how publishers support and interface with libraries through their vital library marketing departments.
Remember to tune in to Friends & Fiction, where Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Mary Kay Andrews interview the authors of some of the year’s most buzzed-about books every Wednesday at 7pm ET on Facebook and YouTube. You can also catch these interviews on our podcast, with episodes released every Friday.
About the Contributors
Friends & Fiction co-host PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY’s latest novel is The Secret Book of Flora Lea, out now in paperback. Her 2025 book, The Story She Left Behind will be in stores in March.
RON BLOCK works as a manager at the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Cleveland, OH and is one of our beloved co-hosts on the Friends & Fiction web show and podcast. His passion for libraries, reading, and cooking has fueled nontraditional library programs and community collaborations. Ron was named an LJ Mover and Shaker in 2020 and has served as a cookbook judge for the James Beard Awards.
HALLIE RICH is Editor-in-Chief of Library Journal, the leading trade publication serving librarians, library staff, and library professionals since 1876. Prior to her role at LJ, she served as chief communications and external relations officer at Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH. She's an active library advocate, participating in the American Library Association's Unite Against Book Bans campaign and as a member of the inaugural ALA Policy Corps cohort.
TERAH SHELTON HARRIS is an author and former librarian, who now writes upmarket fiction with bittersweet endings. She is the author of One Summer in Savannah, a Target Book pick, LibraryReads selection, Together We Read pick, and a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for Best Debut. Terah is also the author of, Long After We Are Gone, a Publisher’s Marketplace Buzz Book and a LibraryReads pick. Her third book, Where the Wildflowers Grow, will be published in October 2025.
JENNIFER CHILCOAT is the Arkansas State Librarian. With over thirty years in the library system, Chilcoat has earned bachelor’s degrees in English and German, as well as a Master of Science in Library and Information Science, from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She currently coordinates a Parenting of Teens class at Second Presbyterian Church and serves as an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 30, both in Little Rock.
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I really enjoyed this interview and am looking forward to part two. I have always loved libraries and truthfully ,I guess in the past I never really thought about all of the different services that were available. But libraries are essential to our society and I give so much credit to the librarians of the world. I recently read a book by James Patterson and Matt Eversham titled "The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians" ..True Stories of the Magic of Reading. The stories were heartwarming and heartbreaking. I spent my summer vacations from school perusing the Philadelphia Library System and always remember those days fondly and for really creating in me an appreciation of words and books. Thank you to all of the Librarians out there who give so much so themselves. And Thank You Friends and Fiction , and your guests for this great roundtable discussion.
Y’all really should get Amanda Jones from La., about her book, “That Librairian!” She has received death threats due to her advocacy!