Alert Collector: Building Collections

• Published in: Reference and user services quarterly Vol. 60; no. 1; p. 3
• Main Author: Galloway, Matthew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago American Library Association 2024
• Subjects: Archaeology; Awards; Committees; Educational Equity (Finance); Educational Finance; Librarians; Libraries; Library Associations; Library Personnel; Library Services; Reading Lists; Reference Materials
• ISSN: 1094-9054; 1094-9054; 2163-5242
• DOI: 10.5860/rusq.6.1.8312

I had no idea supplementing my archaeological grad school funding (or the lack thereof) with a part-time library job would completely change the trajectory of my life. I’d applied on a whim because libraries were always special to me. Certainly I submitted my application thinking, “I love to read! This will be perfect!,” but it also had me remembering how safe and understood librarians made me feel throughout my childhood. As a new adult I was more of a used book store connoisseur because forking out the money ahead of time was easier to plan for than risking fines for a late book. In fact, I almost didn’t apply at all because I knew I had some fine—probably massive—that had kept me away from the library for months because I never had cash on me. (Note: it ended up being 25 cents I paid on my first day of work.)