In this episode, I’m talking about good enough librarians – and how vitally important those people are.  

So if you often feel uninspired and fret over not having brilliant new ideas for you library programs and lessons, stick around.  This episode is for you.

You’ve probably noticed that I often mention people I consider to be rock star librarians. I’m fortunate to know and have worked with many of those people. And I love them.

They’re full of fresh and fun ideas, boundless enthusiasm, and a great passion for libraries.  I learn so much from visionary people like that. 

And I am not one of them!  

For a long time, I faulted myself for that. I kept telling myself I should be more creative and resourceful - that I should be posting cutting-edge ideas on social media and writing articles for library journals.  

And for a long time, I didn’t do those things and I felt like that made me a lame librarian. 

I was dead wrong. I wasn’t lame – I was good enough. 

By that, I don’t mean I was a slacker or that I did just enough to get by.  I mean that I did my best and it was enough! 

We’ve all heard the aphorism, attributed to Voltaire, that “perfect is the enemy of the good”.  This is a profound truth. Doing our best and working hard is what’s called for – there’s no need or purpose for all of us to be rock stars.

If you don’t feel like a rock star librarian because you aren’t doing all the things either, how can you give your users the best?

Well, my motto was always “don’t reinvent the wheel”.  

As I’ve recommended in previous episodes such as episode 17,  smart librarians follow the thought leaders and influencers.  

Identify  some real rock star librarians that you admire and resonate with and get ideas from them.  That’s why they’re putting all their stuff on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram - why they’re writing articles of library journals, and presenting at all the conferences.  They want you to use their ideas. 

So do it!  

Maybe you’re not generating the innovative content, but you can sure be an early adopter! You can be as cutting edge in your library as they are - simply by using their awesome ideas.

Collaborate with other library professionals and co-create lessons, programs, and services together.  My best ideas are always generated when I’m brainstorming or problem-solving with a group.

It’s like somehow great conversations turn on the creativity faucet in my brain. I always come away energized and with fresh perspectives and innovative plans when I’ve worked with a group or with another peron. 

Could that work for you, too?

For complete show notes, please visit  masterfullibrarian.com/ep-24.