Before the start of #AASL2025, I received this email:

(Insert your name after Dear, because I realized,

this pretty much describes anyone I have met that truly dives in 100% as a librarian)

Dear ,

This has been one of my favorite summers, thanks to you. The extent of your
impact not only in my life, but the lives of countless others, astounds me.

You have a hard time being recognized for your work. I wonder if that’s because
you feel it’s your duty. You just do it because the future generations need us,
passing it on just as the countless teachers, family members, and friends poured
their hopes and dreams into you. That’s one thing I respect most about you. The
question: should I do good or do bad? isn’t even a choice – you transcend the
question entirely. The cornerstone of your self is unquestionably your service.
And somehow, you find the energy to do it all despite the chaos. I seek to embody
this attitude as well, and have taken inspiration from you as one of my mentors
heralding that value. There is a word from African philosophy I love: Ubuntu. It
roughly means “I am because we are,” or to put it plainly, my existence means
nothing without the existence of a community. We are all connected, all beings on
this earth. You embody this philosophy in its entirety.

In the same way you connect people from all sorts of different communities, I
really appreciate how you connect different subjects. To others, substance abuse
and environmental conservancy may seem like two entirely separate
topics/problems. They’re not. Further than that, you try to adapt and utilize
modern technologies like AI – heralding the libraries approach to learning and
connecting resources where there are opportunities. I see the role of every one of
these subjects:

Writing for critical thinking, storytelling, and advocacy
Art for communication, expression, and what words can’t say
The environment for it’s ecosystem services – physically, mentally, and
spiritually
History for contextualizing past injustices to indigenous peoples and other
modern struggles
Politics for establishing policies that incorporate philosophy to make our
societies more free
Fitness to develop discipline, health and overall well being
Education and librarianship as the center stone for them all: learning itself

Your refusal to fit the box of a specific field gives me hope for my future. Even in
something you don’t have tons of expertise in, you’re willing to try and grow. For
me, cutting off one of my many interests would be akin to amputating a limb. They
all play a role in a living healthy, full life.

More importantly, (Your name), the thousands of people you have impacted and the
hundreds of close bonds you create almost become a family. To me, that is the
richest sort of life, richer than any billions of dollars. We, your students, will be
there for you should you need us.

Also, a little reminder, amidst all of this it’s OK to say no to some things to stay
sane. And to ask for help. From one to another – every runner needs their rest.
Even if it means walking on the trail as the birds fill the silence with their song and
the trees sway in the breeze, remembering to breathe, remembering that your
students will be right behind you supporting you, should you ever feel lost.

Keep in touch,

“The student each of you impact every day.”

Your turn. Send us in your most inspiring letters and memos- we are making a collage to show the power of Librarianship!