Loving It Enough to Critique It: A Year of Exploring Why We Choose Librarianship

Abstract

Academic Library Workers in Conversation is a C&RL News series focused on elevating
the everyday conversations of library professionals. The wisdom of the watercooler
has long been heralded, but this series hopes to go further by minimizing barriers to
traditional publishing with an accessible format. In past issues, the topics were proposed
by the authors. However, during 2026, this feature will focus on the authors’ stories of
librarianship. How they got here, why they stay, and even why they consider leaving or
transitioning at times. During this time of great upheaval in higher education, exploring
our many “whys” is a worthy venture.