Cruel optimism in becoming a librarian

Librarianship tends to be presented from an optimistic view, and although some of that optimism is true, the reality of becoming a librarian can be a form of cruel optimism. Dylan Burns and Hailley Fargo (2019) used Lauren Berlant’s (2011) cruel optimism to explore the emotional experiences involved in the promise of becoming a librarian, yet it is “…out of reach for nearly a third of LIS graduates” (Burns & Fargo, 2019). Transitioning to librarianship is a big step especially for those experiencing a mid-career transition. The time, cost(s), and emotional energy involved include going back to school, gaining experience in the field, the job search, and navigating a field that is nearly 86.7% white women (Rosa & Henke, 2017). There is an increasingly large cohort of students, many of whom are white women, enrolled in MLIS/MLS programs to become a librarian, yet the job opportunities do not meet the demand. Depending on an individual’s situation and institution(s) they work at and/or applying to, the experiences in becoming a librarian can vary and reflect the inequities in the field. Specifically, the same applies in an academic library setting. In my proposed presentation, I will discuss my experience as an Afro-Latine cis woman transitioning from a paraprofessional support staff to an academic librarian. Why did I choose to be a librarian? What steps did I take to learn about the field? What were the realities that I learned that altered the optimism I originally had of librarianship? What is my own vision as a librarian? I will discuss the importance of having a support network as I became and establishing myself as a librarian in a predominantly white space. Learners will understand and assess the realities of transitioning to librarianship and strategize accordingly.