Haleigh's Practicum Diary

Date: 6/15/26

Time Worked: 8:30am-5pm (approx. 8 hours)

Name: Haleigh Hare

Supervisor’s name: Marisa Bateman/ Taylor Brannan (Marisa is supervising my entire experience within the D.C. Public Library System, while Taylor is supervising me in this specific, Georgetown Neighborhood Library, branch)

Description of the Day:

Today was my first day at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, and I was excited to begin this portion of my practicum. My ‘supervisor’ at this branch is children’s librarian, Taylor Brannan, but she happened to be off, so the assistant manager, Fatima, welcomed me instead and helped me get settled. She introduced me to the library staff, explained how the day typically runs, and gave me an overview of the different service areas. Since this is actually my neighborhood library, I already knew my way around the building, which definitely helped calm some of my first-day nerves. Even though I was familiar with the library as a patron, it felt completely different seeing everything from behind the service desk and getting a glimpse into what happens before the doors even open each day. I quickly noticed how busy the staff stayed, constantly moving between helping patrons, preparing programs, answering questions, and working on projects behind the scenes. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and I appreciated how willing they were to answer my questions and explain what they were doing. By the end of the day, I already felt like I had learned a great deal, and I was excited to come back and continue building on that experience.

One of my first tasks was helping library aide, Jozlyn, prepare for a toddler craft by cutting out paper ice cream cones that children would later use to create colorful collage art. It seemed like a simple activity at first, but it reminded me just how much planning and preparation goes into every children’s program before families ever arrive at the library. I also spent time at the children’s desk, where I greeted patrons, helped hand out Summer Reading prizes, sign children up for library cards, and assisted families as they searched for books. It was especially fun watching children excitedly talk about what they were reading, and I noticed that Investigators, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Wings of Fire were some of the most requested series throughout the afternoon. Later, I shelved books in both the children’s and teen collections, which helped me become much more familiar with the layout of the library and where different materials are located. I also spent time shelf reading in the nonfiction section, making it into the 350s of the Dewey Decimal Classification before moving on to another project. One task I hadn’t expected to enjoy as much as I did was replacing worn call number labels and printing new ones using the DYMO labeling software. It gave me a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the collection organized and easy for patrons to use. Looking back on my first day, I realized that librarianship involves so much more than checking out books. Every interaction, every program, and every small task contributes to creating a welcoming space where people feel supported, and I left feeling even more excited about pursuing a career in youth services.

Pictured above is the Georgetown Neighborhood Library Children’s Space, designed for ages 0 to 12 years old. There is an information table with the calendar, Discover Summer Sign-Ups, and other fun things as well as the librarian’s desk and lots of colorful decorations!

Pictured above is the Georgetown Neighborhood Library June 2026 Children’s Calendar. The program I assisted with this day is the June 15th Toddler Craft.