We just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for being here. It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone, and libraries are doing some great work for their communities.
As we always do, we are not sending out a newsletter over the summer. We know most of our members are away from their libraries, or at least working reduced hours. We use this time to do training, make videos for later asynchronous training, and get podcasts ready.
And we want to ask you to do something. Not for us, but for you.
Take some time off this summer.
Step away from your computer, put down your phone. They are great, and of course technology brings a lot of value to our lives.
But it’s clear that too much technology is having a bad effect on everyone. And we like you. We want you to enjoy yourself, and to enjoy your time off.
Go camping. Go for a walk around a lake. Plant a garden, or even a few herb seeds. Build a fire outside, and maybe roast some marshmallows. Rearrange your living room. Paint a wall in your house. Build a birdhouse. Cook something new and fun. Play the flute. Ride your bike. Grab a backpack and go for a long hike, stopping to eat lunch in a nice place outside – around your neighborhood or on a hiking trail. Float in a pool, or enjoy the rhythm of swimming laps. Sit in the park and read some library books.
Do something that you can put your hands on, something new to you, something that you can remember later. If it’s kind of hard, or kind of sweaty, or kind of muddy – yes, you are on exactly the right path!
We have talked about stress management, and this is an increasingly crucial skill we all need to work on in our lives. One really good way to reduce your stress, to manage anxiety, to keep depression in check is to get away from looking at your screens and doing a “real”activity.
Even if you are still working this summer, take some time to be on vacation. Even if it’s only a day – get into a vacation mindset, and focus on doing some fun things.
Some things are hard and sad in your job, in your life, and in the world – but not everything. Do what you can for yourself to find some fun. Later it will help you to start a new semester with energy and sunshine – ready to bring the joy of libraries to your patrons, and that’s great.
But for now: just enjoy yourself. This is your time!