Goodbye, Farewell, Tofa Soifua!

The art of saying good bye …

 

Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 12:40 PM

Subject: Goodbye, Farewell, Tofa Soifua!

 

Hiyah,!

 

Thank you so much for making the last (almost) ten years some of the most rewarding, exciting and character-building years of my life.

 

I’ve made wonderful life-long friends, found mentors who I will look up to forever more, and will take with me skills and experience that I’m confident will see me through whatever adventures, harrowing or delightful, come my way.

 

If there’s one piece of advice I’d leave for all of you, something that has seen me through our many challenges and changes over the years it’s don’t forget the people.

 

I remind myself constantly that everything we do, whether it be storytime, or book clubs, collection development, outreach, service to the public, isn’t for politics, or demographics, or the majority.

 

Libraries are the keepers of literacy, learning, and information, without judgment, and that means we should be actively welcoming to all, no matter your race, nationality, your sexual orientation, your economic status, your occupation, or personal beliefs.  Anyone should be able to come into a library and find some small place that enlightens, encourages and inspires them.  A single mother might find books on how to start her own business at home.  A retiree might discover a risqué comedian’s books and rediscover his love for humor.  Or a skinny queer kid, with curly hair and quirky glasses might find stories about kids just like him that help him get through a rough time in high school J

 

But most importantly, don’t forget the people behind the desk.  We are people with dreams, and expectations, too, with hopes for our future.  We are lonely, and happy, and excited, and depressed, and content, and anxious, and dreaming of days when we can travel, but not today because it’s storytime.  We are wise, and experienced, in our different ways, with treasures of life to share, if someone would just ask and, even more importantly, listen.

 

We are reflections of the people we serve, and they are mirrors of our state of emotion and happiness and well-being, and when that’s forgotten, when we merely become people who are workers, paper-pushers and schedule-keepers and seatfillers at meetings, we lose that part of our jobs that makes us relatable, that makes us relate, to others who may need that from us.

 

Passion and compassion drive us to do more.  But when that is gone, we are compelled to seek it elsewhere.  While I leave so much behind, here with you, it’s time for me to find my passion out there.

 

If yours is here, make sure to nurture it.  Remember the people.

 

Warmest wishes and regards to you all!  Good luck and happy new year!

 

Pat

(Former) Library Assistant, future adventurer and writer-to-be