We’re just a few days into 2022 so I think it’s still cool for me to post about my 2021. As I wrapped up my first semester as a department head in a new library, I thought about the Twitter thread I posted at the end of 2020.
Specifically, the second tweet in this thread:
“This was probably my most challenging year as a librarian. I think most of my frustrations were ones I had simmering but the pandemic simply brought them into focus. Simply put, institutional obstacles (in many shapes and sizes) challenged me this year.”
I entered 2021 with the intention of making a change. I felt physically confined from the pandemic and mentally confined by the structures I tried to work within my previous role. I had watched so many close friends go through life milestones in 2020 and felt something inside of me saying, “Hailley, it’s your turn now.” I don’t think I realized that change could include applying, interviewing, and accepting a whole new job. But that’s what I ended up doing. As I said to multiple friends throughout the year when trying something, “I’ve gotta shoot my shot.”
In a lot of ways, the first six months of 2021 flew by. Work had a rhythm, pandemic or not. We decided on interns to hire for the upcoming year, spotlighted our student employees during our annual showcase, and gave out our Information Literacy award at undergraduate research exhibitions. I scheduled meetings, created agendas, met with students, and continued with my daily walks around my neighborhood.
Outside of the work rhythms, I applied for my current position in April and had an offer by June. In early July, I was driving to Cincinnati to find a new apartment and by late July, I had packed up my apartment in State College and attempted to tie as many loose ends as I could. In the midst of this huge transition, LibParlor got the news we received an IMLS grant, I cycled off an undergraduate research curriculum project I was proud of (and am cheering on from KY), and my first major article on mapping the student engagement journey was published.
Then it was time to start a new job, as a department head.
I jumped into an institution full of history, with so many projects happening in all pockets of campus. I learned I’m fortunate to be a part of a team of collaborative librarians, all who bring their expertise and experiences into their positions. I got to spend my first semester learning, collaboratively building out Education & Outreach Services (our department), and conducting visioning work for reference services and our library informatics bachelor's degree program. My day-to-day work definitely changed and I felt challenged, yet able to stretch and grow into the role. I was fortunate to have other new colleagues as confidants and work friends, and we supported each other in our work transitions.
Now that’s not to say there weren't obstacles. In 2020, I thought a lot about power dynamics; in 2021 I thought about how we often equate experience = years in the profession. When we do that, we have to ask, “What do we lose by focusing solely on that one-to-one ratio?” Experience (for me) is a collection of time, experiences, skills, and perspectives. What I experienced this fall reminded me of conversations I had in graduate school around expertise. What I learned is that part of showcasing your experience is not only being able to articulate what you’ve done in the past, but actually stepping up to the plate and showing others what you can do.
Beyond work, I leaned into living in a new location. For those that might not know, I love Cincinnati (after a visit in 2019 where I felt like this city was legit). In addition to exploring Cincinnati, I also got the chance to see northern Kentucky. I fell in love with a local pretzel shop and discovered the pros of living in a place where you can walk to get food, drinks, local gifts, coffee, manicures, and more. I got back into dating and used first dates as a way to check out new spots with new people.
And of course, 2021 was a solid year because of the wonderful people I get to call my friends. Big friendships have been crucial for me surviving this pandemic and I even devoted an ACRLog post this fall around work friendships. Near or far, I had a tight knit group of folks who supported me in the job search, cheered me on during the tough and exciting times, and really made 2021 fun. I even got to see a few of them IRL this year (and hopefully many more in 2022). I couldn’t have done all that I did without them.
The last tweet in my 2020 recap thread said “I'm not sure what 2021 will bring but I'm looking forward to spending the last two weeks of 2020 away from the work laptop. The work will be there in the new year.” As I get ready to reopen that work laptop tomorrow, I’m also not sure what 2022 will bring. But I know I am calm and ready for whatever might come my way. This afternoon, I went for a walk along the levee and for the first time since moving to northern Kentucky almost six months ago, I felt settled. Walks have been such a crucial part for me making it through this pandemic and it felt good to have a new route in this new year.