Reflection Blog: Infinite Learning – Learning for a Lifetime, in the Library and Beyond

Libraries are places of learning. They are places of exploration, curiosity, and discovery. Like the sensory space at the Marsden Library in Australia. Tactile exploration is a such a crucial part of development and seeing a library provide a space that safe and free for young ones to explore reminds me how libraries are evolving to encapsulate learning of all kinds. In the essay Ylibrary? Stephens makes the case for how libraries are spaces for infinite learning – how libraries have and will continue to evolve to meet the curiosity needs and desires for library users and will continue to do so into perpetuity. He puts into words exactly what I think and feel about the library.

As I ponder through this final reflection – I want to know how else the library can support learning everywhere. How can I, as a future librarian, continue to inspire a sense of curiosity and wonder in the patrons I serve. Wonder that sparks a lifetime of learning and evolution – and the best way I can do that is by learning as well. Continuing to evolve, learning, grow, and roll with the times, if you will. Not just by being up to date in the latest technologies but by learning about the ever-changing communities I serve. Centering my learning and my service around them – understanding them. Circling back to whole-hearted librarianship and service that is centered around library patrons and users.

I’ve heard many times over the course of my life that learning is a lifelong endeavor. When I was young I though there would be a point where it would come to a stop. Where I would learn everything that I needed to learn to be happy or content in where I needed to be. Now that I am older, and I have lived more of life – I find myself with a more intense, almost insatiable desire to continue learning. To understand, to wonder to learn. Every opportunity, encounter, and experience that we go through in life is also a learning opportunity. One that allows us to learn more about the world, our communities, our environment, or even just about ourselves. Learning is everywhere and it’s beautiful.

References 

Stephens, M. (2014). YLibrary: …Infinite learning

Sensory Space at Marsden Library. (2018). Sensory Spaces