Haleigh's Practicum Diary

Name: Haleigh Hare

Supervisor’s name: Marisa Bateman

As I reflect on my practicum with the DC Public Library system, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work at both the West End Library and the Georgetown Neighborhood Library. Experiencing two different branches allowed me to observe how children’s services can be adapted to meet the needs of unique communities while still supporting the same mission of providing equitable access to information, learning, and recreation. I entered this practicum expecting to learn how children’s librarians plan storytimes, maintain collections, and assist families in finding books. While I certainly gained experience in those areas, I quickly discovered that children’s librarianship encompasses so much more. Behind every successful program is a tremendous amount of planning, collaboration, outreach, organization, and problem-solving that patrons rarely see. This practicum gave me a realistic picture of the profession and confirmed that public librarianship is the career I want to pursue.

One of the greatest lessons I learned was that building relationships is at the heart of children’s librarianship. Whether I was welcoming families to storytime, helping children during Lego Club and craft programs, assisting with Discover Summer, or simply talking with patrons in the children’s room, it further emphasized to me that libraries are about much more than books. They are community spaces where children feel safe to learn, create, ask questions, and be themselves. I especially appreciated seeing the different approaches each branch took to serving its community. My interview with Marisa reinforced the importance of approaching every patron with compassion and recognizing that families in Washington, DC come from many different backgrounds and experiences. Watching the staff at both branches build genuine relationships with their communities demonstrated how important empathy, patience, and consistency are in creating welcoming library spaces.

One aspect of the practicum that surprised me was how much I enjoyed the work that happens behind the scenes. Before beginning my internship, I assumed most of a children’s librarian’s day revolved around programming, but I found just as much satisfaction in collection management and creating inviting library spaces. I helped prepare a StoryWalk, reorganized the board book collection, shelf-read and relabeled materials, created new signage, and developed displays for both Disability Pride Month and the library’s Blind Date with a Book program. Although these projects may seem simple, each required thoughtful planning and an understanding of how patrons interact with the library. Seeing young children notice the new board book labels or watching families browse a display I had created reminded me that even small improvements can make the library more welcoming and accessible. I also enjoyed exercising my design skills through Canva and thinking creatively about how visual displays can encourage patrons to explore new books and resources.

Throughout the practicum, I was challenged to become more flexible and confident in my abilities. There were several days when the library was unexpectedly short-staffed, giving me opportunities to take on greater responsibility than I had anticipated. I stepped in to facilitate the Teen Fiber Arts Club, managed summer craft activities, and assisted with large storytimes that welcomed close to one hundred participants. One of the most memorable experiences was leading my own storytime at the West End Library. Although I was nervous beforehand, the experience reinforced my background as an educator and showed me that I could successfully engage young children in a library setting. Another memorable moment was when a group of my preschool students from Little Folks visited the Georgetown Library. Seeing them in the library instead of the classroom reminded me how valuable partnerships between schools and public libraries can be in supporting children’s literacy and lifelong learning. Every new responsibility helped me become more confident and strengthened my understanding of the many roles children’s librarians play within their communities.

Looking back, I can honestly say that I enjoyed every aspect of this practicum, even the more routine tasks such as shelf reading and shifting collections. Each responsibility contributed to my understanding of how a successful children’s department operates. If I were managing a children’s department in the future, I would continue emphasizing inclusive collections, interactive displays, and hands-on programming that encourages families to learn together. I also saw firsthand how thoughtful organization, clear signage, and accessible spaces can make a meaningful difference for patrons, and these are ideas I would continue to prioritize. Above all, I am grateful to the librarians and staff at both the West End Library and the Georgetown Neighborhood Library for creating an environment where I felt welcomed, supported, and trusted. Their mentorship allowed me to grow professionally while giving me the confidence to take initiative, ask questions, and develop my own ideas. This practicum not only strengthened the skills I hoped to gain but also deepened my appreciation for the impact public libraries have on children, families, and the communities they serve. I leave this experience feeling prepared and excited to begin my career as a children’s librarian.