Andy Woodworth is kind of a big deal in the world of libraries. He’s been listed as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, co-authored the “eBook User’s Bill of Rights,” and regularly shares hilarious and thought-provoking original content on Twitter. (Seriously, check out his pinned tweet.) So when he recently put out a call on Twitter for librarians to retweet him and share why they became a librarian, the response was pretty big. Other librarians explained to the world their motivations, from serious things like a love of helping people to more comical responses, like acknowledgement that librarians are “weirdos.” (Can confirm. Source: Am a librarian.) I, of course, shared my own reasons why I became a librarian, but here are some of the best responses.
click “reweet with comment” and please tell me why you became a librarian
— Andy? (@wawoodworth) November 15, 2018
Because all librarians are (sometimes secret) weirdos, so I knew I’d fit in. https://t.co/Klkzs4GC8E
— Katrina Elsi (@katrinaelsi) November 16, 2018
Parce que la documentaliste de mon collège était génial, celle du lycée nulle et que les bibliothécaires de mon quartier ont bien pris le relais. Je me suis dit qu’il fallait plus de passionnés compétants dans ce métier ! https://t.co/IK7hqxSDpB
— Menditso (@Menditso) November 16, 2018
Because I moved to the US from a country where information and “ideas”were considered dangerous. Because information and ideas are powerful. Because libraries are a banquet for those starved of information and ideas and I want everyone to feast! https://t.co/F7osFjMrE9
— Manuela Miracle (@mannymiracle) November 16, 2018
Because I have an insane need to know things. And acquisitions is really buying all the books you want without using your own money. https://t.co/7Q2uhSNoI3
— Karolyn with a K (@hennasarai) November 16, 2018
I accidentally became a youth services library paraprofessional a year and a half ago, when I saw the job posting and applied, looking for part-time work.
I have never been so happy and fulfilled in a job in my life. https://t.co/EGnVLH6LhW
— Rose Redrum (@Rose_Redrum) November 16, 2018
It was either that or pay all my library fines. https://t.co/4JvTXfg0W0
— Skee-Ball Librarian (@oodja) November 16, 2018
Started as a high school student because I loved using the library and love books. Continued as an adult because I realised I love helping people. I’m absolutely a public servant (and also still love books and other media) so its perfect ❤️ https://t.co/hc0Ai1c9Fx
— Samantha Hay (@sambrarian) November 16, 2018
I wanted to go into the magical world of Cataloging to bring organization to my small corner of the universe, but while I was in school Youth Services had an opening and I’m so so happy it happened that way because I have the absolute best job in the world. https://t.co/3IfrPaaoWY
— LibrarySocks (@LibrarySocks) November 16, 2018
Because everyone deserves access to information that could improve their lives, make them happy, or help them help others. Info is power and all deserve that. https://t.co/F4iDXfWbnn
— Jennifer Burke (@theinfohound) November 16, 2018
Reading. Information literacy. Access to info. Old book smell. Critical thinking skills. Advocacy. Cardigans. World domination. https://t.co/KPK42Luhgq
— Maria Atilano (@mdatilano) November 16, 2018
I was’t prepared to cope with a post-grad life that didn’t include access to @JSTOR. #lawlibrarians #librarians @librarylife #librarianproblems #nerdproblems https://t.co/9Y0rHybpHk
— Liz Schiller (@liz_schiller) November 16, 2018
I had two job interviews on the same day, one as a museum assistant, one as a library assistant in an FE college. I didn’t answer a question about using wet floor signs properly in the museum one, so didn’t get it. I did get the library one. It was life-changing. https://t.co/ZqyArS20gc
— Jess Haigh (@BookElfLeeds) November 16, 2018
Because it gave me the chance to research and learn stuff to infinity and gave me a paycheck for it. https://t.co/aDsoconmQj
— Ms Retiredlibrarian (@goodlibrarian) November 16, 2018
I was going to be a teacher, but then I decided I’d rather work at a place where (more) people come because they want to learn, not because they’re required to by the government. That place, for me, was the public library. https://t.co/qWXWCmSXKP
— William Ottens (@williamottens) November 16, 2018
Came for the books, stayed for the treasure hunts and the smiles on patrons’ faces when said treasure hunt is successful. Now I’m just happy to be part of an essential service that our community values highly, as has proven over the last week. It’s good to be doing service work. https://t.co/9Fzxc0tdSm
— Bibliophile (@knit_brarian) November 16, 2018
I didn’t know what to do when I was about to get my BA, so I went to the library to figure out where on earth I’d want to—PEOPLE WORK AT THE LIBRARY I NEED TO BE ONE OF THEM
ALA Annual was in my town that summer, and meeting people on the exhibit floor confirmed my desire. https://t.co/umEN2Pku5F
— ??? ????????? (@benostrowsky) November 16, 2018
I was a 5 year old in a poor family in Lubbock TX and my parents would take me to puppet shows at the local library for cheap entertainment. The seed of something to believe in was planted then. https://t.co/76UxmvJ55F
— Greg C (@HubrisRex) November 16, 2018
I have always loved books. Though for my 1st interview, I was told, “For God’s sake, don’t tell them you like books!” https://t.co/Rg0jbRsLMD
— Richard Overell (@richard_overell) November 16, 2018
My personal bookshelves have been alphabetised since I was about seven, library school was clearly the right place for me https://t.co/keNobVkcru
— The Mixed Up Files of Mrs Victor E. Frankenstein (@mrsfrankenstien) November 16, 2018
Sharing rare materials with people! I love to geek out with them! https://t.co/fSlPF1eRMU
— Mattie T (@MattieT650) November 16, 2018
because information wants to be free https://t.co/uSOIXvkjH2
— catherine (@tfortx) November 16, 2018
I fell in with a bad crowd. https://t.co/TTbnLFMm8z
— Jon Harris (@JonQuixote) November 16, 2018
Because of Parker Posey in Party Girl. https://t.co/KGDUyomPvv
— Liam Sullivan (@Othemts) November 16, 2018
was absolutely crushing reading a book to my nieces and was like “o dam, i bet someone would pay me to do this” and well, here we are #WhyILibrary https://t.co/nmUbNyAVT6
— abby normal ☔?☕? (@MyBrightestAbby) November 16, 2018
I didn’t I just lived with one for too long.
The contagion got me. https://t.co/eWovwzZwBW
— Penguin Flight (@_PenguinFlight) November 16, 2018
Because I couldn’t commit to a field of study and academic librarianship enables a lifetime of subject-dabbling. https://t.co/6o4ZQebavR
— Nicole R. Gustavsen (@referencebird) November 16, 2018
I was working in a pharma-retail store and would cry after most shifts, because my days were spent making a lot of lives worse, not better. Even on libraryland’s worst days, I don’t cry like that anymore. Now I feel like a helper. https://t.co/KNjuNC3Fja
— Julia Erlanger (@wreninflight) November 16, 2018
Both of my parents were librarians and I am highly unoriginal. https://t.co/7rk0bmSfGH
— Kate Crowe (@kcrowe) November 16, 2018
It was basically a F*ck U to the Mean Old Librarians who treated me like I couldn’t alphabetize without an MLS (I was in IT at the time). I just realized I have a Spite MLS. https://t.co/ly3MKaR4hK
— Brandon (@woogapdx) November 16, 2018
I worked in a public library for 9 years and figured I was gonna die there so why not https://t.co/LkkawsunWn
— punkass book jockey (@iwillendyouinc) November 15, 2018
I needed to control my late fees habit https://t.co/rKzhmJurVN
— Drunkest Librarian (@DrunkestLibrary) November 15, 2018
Volunteered in a prison, saw the positive impact the librarian had on the incarcerated citizens, and said, “That seems like a much better use of my life than what I am currently doing.” And now I am an elementary school librarian (maybe one day I will get to return to prison!) https://t.co/KDhlFBlLJu
— Steph (@WriteOnSteph) November 15, 2018
your tweets about why you became a librarian are giving me life today
thank you ♥️
— Andy? (@wawoodworth) November 15, 2018
So many good replies! These are only a few of the very many excellent responses. Check the rest out on Andy’s twitter (@wawoodword) and, like Alice, fall down the rabbit hole of the wonderful world of libraries. And from a librarian to all you readers, learners, and patrons of all kinds, thank you for making libraries possible.
