Welcome to Overdue Thoughts: A Librarian's Journey Begins
Introduction
Welcome to Overdue Thoughts! I’m Kate—a digital librarian with a TBR (to be read) list so long it might qualify as its own library.
I know, writing an introduction when there’s already an About Me page feels a bit like shelving the same book twice. But hey, here we are! My love affair (i.e. obsession) with books started early, thanks to my wonderful parents who filled our home with stories galore (yes, I read all of them, repeatedly). I also have to thank my elementary school librarian, who always had the perfect book recommendation.
Oh, and fun fact: in middle school, I wrote a fan letter to Ann M. Martin, the author behind “The Baby-Sitters Club”, and she actually wrote me back! Life made for 5th-grade me!
One of my favorite things about reading is how two people can pick up the same book and come away with completely different perspectives on the story and characters. My husband and I often read the same books, and our conversations about the parts that resonated with each of us are always so fascinating.
Fun story: the very first birthday gift he gave me was the first three books in one of his favorite series, “The Sword of Truth” by Terry Goodkind. That’s when I knew he was the one—a fellow book lover who understands the power of a great story.
Why Library Science?
I’m a proud graduate of Syracuse University’s iSchool with a Master’s in Library and Information Science. My application essay was all about how access to information is key to a thriving society—and I still stand by that.
Librarianship is so much more than book recommendations or homework help (though we rock at those too). A classmate once described being a librarian as being a bridge, and honestly, it stuck with me. We’re the connection between people and the information they need (or think they need).
Sometimes, patrons don’t even know what they’re looking for—that’s where the fun begins! Being a librarian is part detective, part guide, and part mind reader. We help people narrow down their search, figure out the right questions to ask, and bring clarity to their quests for knowledge. It’s like solving little mysteries every day—and who wouldn’t love that?
During my program, I fell in love with teaching information literacy and promoting equitable access to resources. There’s nothing more satisfying than helping someone find the information they need and showing them how to evaluate it. Of course, none of this happens unless people connect with the library, so making libraries accessible to all is my other big passion. Accessibility + information literacy = Kate’s Partners in (Library) Crime
Between my love for books and my love for sharing knowledge, being a librarian is absolutely my dream job!
Why Overdue Thoughts?
The name Overdue Thoughts popped into my head while I was reflecting on my pivot into librarianship. Wrapping up my MLIS program, I realized this career change wasn’t just overdue—it felt like it had been waiting for me all along. Funny thing is, I’ve always leaned into librarian tendencies in my jobs without even realizing it. Case in point: during my AmeriCorps years, I left each position with a meticulously curated SOP binder full of guides and lessons learned. Yep, I was basically a librarian in disguise.
Now, this blog is a place to share ideas, insights, and maybe a few bookish tangents along the way. To me, overdue is more than a career shift—it’s also about those ideas and bits of knowledge that are just waiting to be uncovered, like a long-overdue library book finally making its way home. Some posts will dig into the academic side of things, reflecting on what I learned during my MLIS program. Others? Expect cheeky takes on books, random musings, or even a fun deep dive into a social media post that cracked me up.
I try not to take myself too seriously, and my hope is that Overdue Thoughts feels like a perfect mix of librarian-meets-human—curious, reflective, and always up for a laugh.
Let’s get reading (and thinking)!
P.S. This year, I’ve promised myself to be a better reader this year, no more “I’ve got to study” excuses! Come keep me accountable on StoryGraph and BlueSky. Let’s tackle those TBRs together!
