A Day in the Life of a High School Librarian

What do I do all day? Let's find out! (FYI, it's VERY different every day!)
I'm a high school library media specialist at a school of 1,300 students. Follow my library journey and learn about what I'm reading each month!
Follow me on Goodreads: / megan-musick
Buy Me a Coffee:
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Any donations will probably truly buy me a coffee... I rarely treat myself to Starbucks, but with a three-year-old wild child at home, a full-time job, trying to grow my KZbin channel, and training for my first half marathon, I need all the coffee lol.

[@elisalondon6745]

Thank you so much for making this video. I work with people who like to micromanage and who have unrealistic expectations. I can relate to this video so much. Constantly add new tasks to my to-do list and try to finish projects that have been started. This is encouraging to know I'm not the only one who goes through these same issues. It also reiterates my point that the expectations placed on me are too unrealistic.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

I'm hopefully going to start a new series of videos soon on an article I wrote about leading vs. managing and how to balance all of the lofty goals librarians have with the small, day-to-day tasks that always pop up. Understanding that balance has changed my life!!

[@MelissaFreeman]

What a fun video! I really enjoyed having a look into your day. I am a librarian at a public library it’s honestly the best job I’ve ever had!

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

That's awesome! I totally agree - this is the best job! I truly look forward to coming to work every day.

[@freepalestinanow]

Hii

[@mariamayub212]

OMG I LOVE your video and will definitely be subscribing!;

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Awww - thanks so much!

[@skollman6362]

We just watched your 'Day in the Life" video. You did a super job! We are a school district vocational transition program for young adults. It was so cool that they get to see what a high school librarian really does in a day at work. They did not realize how busy you are and what you do 'behind the scenes'. My students loved the idea for a pizza party for your TA's and they wanted you to know that they can see how hard you work every day. One student said it would be 'cool' to meet you. Thanks again for the video.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Thank you so so much for this compliment! I love that students were able to watch it... It's like I can not only help students at my own school but at other schools as well! I posted a new, similar video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3THaIN5g7dpZtE - you may want to check it out too. We could always do a Zoom session if your students are actually interested in that. :)

[@brandimullins3627]

Hope to see a new one of these!!!! Love the day in the life’s!

[@anapinheiro2776]

Heeey. I love it! I´m a Librarian too, and I´m from Brazil. It´s so good shares some ideas. That´s it, Keep going, Pleease!.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Thank you! I'm definitely hoping to start making more library videos/tips soon! :)

[@jeffreyisisw]

Thanks for the information! I am from Hong Kong, and I was a librarian in university library. Now I am going to switch to a high school library for my new path. The culture in teaching might be a bit different between America and Hong Kong, but I am so nervous on my next job as a high school librarian. Your video is my prep for my next job! Thank you for posting and sharing! Keep in touch!

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

That sounds amazing! How is your new job going so far?

[@mysongs6745]

Your video is full of useful information. I had fun experiencing your workday with you. Thank you for posting and sharing the joy of librarianship.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Thank you so much! I hope to start posting much more library content soon!

[@thenonniche6657]

So excited I found your channel! And I love Nevermoore series.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

I'm glad you did too! I was so sad when I discovered that the 4th book doesn't come out until next year! For some reason, I thought it was this year.

[@cassandrajones6161]

Fellow TL from CA here. Just watched the bulk of your videos - amazing stuff. You should blog if you don't already.

[@cassandrajones6161]

I should say: You should blog if you don't already because your stuff is GOLD and I just want it all in writing. Literally taking notes on your day.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Oh my goodness! What a compliment! Thank you so much! I don't know about gold - lol. I honestly feeling like I'm just winging it and that I'm not qualified to give other people advice or for them to do what I do haha. I would do a blog if it didn't take so much time. I usually film my videos before school starts and edit them during lunch. I have an 18-month old at home, so I don't have much free time unfortunately. Maybe one day though!!

[@B.kaul1tz]

I am the librarian in my school :D

[@kandystorressantiago8865]

How do you become a librarian in a school? Do you go through college to become one?

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Hi! I actually made a video explaining that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip_bo52nbJeVhpo I go through the long and short versions if you're interested. Thanks!

[@Danny-nm1iy]

This is a dream job of mine, but I have absolutely no idea what degree gets you to being a high school librarian? I’m currently getting my BA in English, but not sure if that translates directly

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

So many people have asked me how I became a school librarian, so I finally made a video about it! Hopefully this helps someone out there! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip_bo52nbJeVhpo

[@holly-bg6yf]

I'm in the very same boat as you. Obtained my BA in English in 2017, have been working in the school library a total of 10 years, but have not obtained by MLS.

[@mandibartlett8455]

I have 10 years college library experience, started as a library assistant with a levels..no degree... And became a school librarian based on my experience

[@mandibartlett8455]

But I am British so it works differently here x

[@purnitaroy8336]

@@mandibartlett8455 what are your duties?

[@stuarttay8770]

Where did you buy the new books at for so cheap?

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

I got them from the Junior Library Guild $5 backlist sale. They have pretty good sales like that throughout the year. I think you have to be a JLG subscriber to have access to them though. They aren't the newest books, but sometimes they are only several months old!

[@theboardcrafter1336]

What a great video on the busy life of a High School librarian. I never knew what libraries use to cover books with or how. Can you take the covering back off after you put it on without ripping the cover of the book/ dust jacket. Thank you for these videos.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, you can take it off as long as you're careful when you take the tape off. I've never tried to take it off though, so it's hard to say. It's definitely faster than covering paperback books with the sticky laminating stuff! That takes forever!

[@mandibartlett8455]

I'm a school librarian and we use plastic book jackets. So fast to cover and they can be reused. Lots of different sizes needed though

[@juliahooper554]

im thinking about becoming a librarian and I'm in 11 gradsso this is helpful

[@sonerkutlubay3577]

I saw fishing line on the table. What are you doing with the fishing line? 😅😅

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Around here, who knows! Haha. I think I was hanging our new genre signs. I hung them from the ceiling using fishing line.

[@sonerkutlubay3577]

​@@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901 It makes so much sense, now I get it 😅, thank you 🙏

[@suzannevenkataraman2045]

I'm a HS librarian too. How do you do your book trailers?

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Hello, fellow librarian! I have a Google Sheet with all of my trailers organized by genre. I use ones premade on KZbin, but I definitely want students to make some this year. Depending on how much time the teacher has for their library visit, I'll show anywhere from 4-8 trailers, each from different genres. Students love them! I also try to use books that I have multiple copies of because students usually really do want to check them out after seeing a trailer. I love doing books that have been made into movies and TV shows so that I can show the official trailers. Hope this helps! How do you do yours? I'd love to gather more ideas!

[@mandibartlett8455]

Brilliant idea

[@kathymetaxas135]

What company did you use for the book fair? I can't find a company to accommodate high school (southern California).

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

I actually had trouble finding a company as well. However, I found out from a neighboring school that they used Scholastic. That's who I used as well. They don't actually have a high school book fair. Technically, they booked me a middle school fair and then sent one extra case of young adult books as well. They also sent a lot of kids' books, which was great for students buying for their siblings and faculty members buying for their kids. I plan on having the book fair the week before Christmas break next year so that everyone can buy Christmas presents for siblings/children! A lot of our freshmen still really enjoyed the middle school titles. I hope you can find a company! I would definitely try Scholastic. Let me know how it goes!

[@panwarmessi9865]

Nice video ❣👍

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Thank you so much!

[@애다]

Hello! Thanks for sharing your video :) It's my dream to be a librarian. However, I'm currently taking Bachelor's in Business Administration and planning to take a Master's in Library Science. Is it okay to do that?

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

That sounds like a great plan! To be a school librarian, you would have to have a degree in education as well - just wanted to let you know in case you were interested in that.

[@애다]

@@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901 Thank you for replying! ❤

[@tanika8666]

Take a deep breath…

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

I'm too busy for that! Hahahah

[@tanika8666]

😂😂😂

[@bethanylucas9787]

I just found your site a few days ago, and I love it. Do you have any social media accounts? I have lots of questions I'd love to ask about some of the things you are doing.

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Thank you! Yes, I have Facebook - just look up Megan Musick, and you can send me a message. :)