Reflections on My Residency: Understanding the Realities

Residencies are an unusual concept for many people—especially in libraries. When I try explaining my position to friends in other fields, they often exclaim, "Oh, like a doctor residency!" Honestly, that’s the best comparison. A library residency provides on-the-ground experience, but it also includes rotations through various departments before choosing a focus area. For someone like me, with such varied interests, narrowing it down was no small feat. In the end, I chose to immerse myself in two departments, and after a year and a half in this residency, I’ve come to some key realizations.
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Reality #1: It’s a Time-Limited Position
When I signed up for this residency, I knew it wasn’t permanent. That’s the nature of residencies—they’re designed to be temporary learning experiences. But knowing that hasn’t made me less invested. From day one, I’ve thrown myself fully into this program.
Still, seeing the resident before me navigate her final six months has been eye-opening. It’s helped me clarify what I’m looking for as I approach the next stage of my career: a role with more permanence. Grad school opened my eyes to the possibilities in librarianship beyond youth services and nonprofit work, which is how I found myself moving from institution to institution, discovering what I truly wanted to do.

Reality #2: I Thrive on Collaboration and Variety
The two departments I chose for my residency—Teaching, Learning, & Research (TLR) and Special Collections & Archives (SCA)—speak to my wide-ranging interests. TLR has allowed me to teach, provide reference services, and focus on research, while SCA has given me hands-on experience with archives. In SCA, I’ve worked on processing collections, editing podcasts, and leading oral history projects—all while continuing to teach and collaborate with colleagues.
The common thread in both departments is clear: I love working with people while also leading my own projects. Collaboration energizes me, but having ownership over my work is equally rewarding. Balancing these two aspects has made this residency incredibly fulfilling.

Reality #3: Academia and Public Service Can Go Hand in Hand
One unexpected but welcome aspect of my residency has been working at a public institution. As a faculty member, my work is deeply rooted in academia, but there’s also a strong connection to the community. This duality has been a pleasant surprise, and it’s helped me realize that I value roles with strong ties to public service. Whether it’s through outreach, programming, or partnerships, I want my work to extend beyond campus and make a meaningful impact on the community.

Looking Ahead
Choosing this residency was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I came into it with the goal of growing as a librarian, researcher, educator, archivist, and storyteller, and I’ve been able to develop in all of these areas. The structure of a residency inevitably includes preparing for the next step—seeking employment. As I begin this search, I’m not looking for just any job. I’m looking for a role where I can see myself thriving for the foreseeable future—a place where I can continue to grow, collaborate, and make an impact.
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The future feels exciting and full of possibility. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

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