Day 21: Leave Yourself a Letter
- The library is quiet.
- The shelves are ready.
- The displays are in place.
- The books are waiting.
In just a few days—or perhaps just a few hours—the silence will be replaced by the sounds of another school year.
- Students discovering new books.
- Teachers stopping by with questions.
- Classes filling the library with laughter, curiosity, and conversation.
Before all of that begins, I’d like to suggest one final Quick Win. Not something you’ll organize. Not something you’ll label. Not another item to check off your list.
Instead…
Write a letter. To yourself.
Why It Matters
School years have a way of moving quickly.
The excitement of August soon becomes the busyness of September.
Before long it’s conferences, book fairs, testing, winter programs, spring activities, end-of-year reports, and summer planning.
Somewhere along the way, it’s easy to forget how hopeful you felt before the year began.
It’s easy to become discouraged when things don’t go exactly as planned.
A letter to your future self becomes a reminder.
- It captures who you are today.
- What you’re hoping for.
- What matters most.
Months from now, when you’re tired or overwhelmed, those words may become exactly the encouragement you need.
Your 20-Minute Challenge
Find a quiet place. Take out a notebook, stationery, or even a blank sheet of paper. Then begin writing. Don’t worry about perfect grammar or beautiful handwriting. Just be honest.
Here are a few questions to help you get started.
What are you excited about?
Maybe you’re looking forward to:
- Meeting new students.
- Sharing wonderful books.
- Collaborating with teachers.
- Trying a new program.
- Creating a more welcoming library.
- Watching reluctant readers discover books they love.
Write about what gives you hope.
What do you hope students remember?
Years from now, students probably won’t remember every lesson. But they may remember how your library made them feel.
Perhaps you hope they’ll remember:
- Feeling welcomed.
- Discovering a favorite book.
- Being encouraged to ask questions.
- Feeling safe.
- Feeling accepted.
- Learning to love reading.
Those memories matter.
What kind of librarian do you want to be?
- Not the busiest.
- Not the most organized.
- Not the one with the most elaborate bulletin boards.
Who do you hope to become this year?
Maybe you want to be:
- Patient.
- Encouraging.
- Curious.
- Creative.
- Calm.
- Kind.
- Welcoming.
- Joyful.
Write down the qualities you hope students and teachers experience whenever they visit your library.
Try This Today
When you’ve finished your letter, place it in an envelope.
Write one sentence on the front: “Open in May.”
Tuck it into a desk drawer, a planner, or a file you’ll be sure to find near the end of the school year. Then leave it there. Resist the temptation to peek. Let your future self discover it at just the right time.
Bonus Tip
Include one promise to yourself. Keep it simple.
Perhaps:
- “I’ll remember that relationships matter more than perfection.”
- “I’ll celebrate small victories.”
- “I’ll keep recommending great books.”
- “I’ll greet students with a smile.”
- “I’ll remember why I became a librarian.”
One sentence can become an anchor for the entire school year.
Over the past twenty-one days, you’ve prepared your library one small step at a time.
- You welcomed students before they even arrived.
- You thought about teachers.
- You improved routines.
- You created inviting displays.
- You planned for the unexpected.
- You celebrated progress.
Most importantly, you’ve been reminded that the heart of a great library isn’t found in perfectly straight shelves or beautifully lettered bulletin boards.
- It’s found in relationships.
- In conversations.
- In curiosity.
- In kindness.
- In helping one child discover the right book at exactly the right time.
- That’s the work that changes lives.
As this new school year begins, I hope you remember something else. You don’t have to be a perfect librarian. You simply have to be the caring, thoughtful librarian your students need. That’s more than enough.
Thank you for spending these twenty-one days with me.
I hope they’ve encouraged you, inspired you, and reminded you that the work you do matters far more than you may ever know.
Have a wonderful school year. Your students are fortunate to have you.
Reflection Question
When you open your letter in May, what do you hope will make you smile?
Perhaps it won’t be a perfectly organized library or a completed checklist. Perhaps it will be remembering …
- One student.
- One conversation.
- One book.
- One moment that reminded you why you became a school librarian in the first place.
For more in the August in the Library series, click here.
For more Library Administration posts, click here.
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