Joe Gaskin, Library Associate Extraordinaire

Director Rogers told you about Joe Gaskin receiving an ALA Spectrum Scholarship recently.  Now Mr. Gaskin gives us insight into the person/attitude that is well able to receive such an award:

 

"The library is a sanctuary; at least it always has been to me. It was the place where a young boy could go to explore options that might never have been revealed just running around the neighborhood. It was a job where I earned my first paycheck as a shelver at the Murray Hill branch. I have spent a majority of my adult life working in the library. Other jobs came and went but I was repeatedly drawn back to the library system. Each return enabled me to excel and develop a greater connection to library services, so much so, that I found myself working on my master’s degree in Information Science. Since I was fortunate enough to receive the ALA Spectrum Scholarship, it has removed the financial barrier that could significantly slow my progress.  I plan to use this opportunity to improve myself and the service I provide to the public library system and the people it serves. Now, working as a Youth Services Associate at Willowbranch library (where I visited as a child), I strive to play the role in my community that so greatly influenced me.

"Libraries are one of the last true public spaces in our society that offers openly accessible information or just a place of respite for all. As a Library Associate, I spend a majority of my time creating programming for youth, a task that I have found truly fulfilling, especially reading stories, singing songs to toddlers or teaching high-school students how to fix their bicycles. I never thought that I would find myself playing a guitalele in front of a hundred singing and dancing toddlers each week, but I discovered the importance of providing an outlet for kids to learn to act silly. I believe it is crucial that our society provide youth with a safe space to explore, debate and challenge their interests outside of school. My motivation to receive a Master of Library and Information Science degree is based on my desire to expand my knowledge to help others expand theirs.

 

"I am so grateful for the egalitarian services that libraries provide to our society. As the division of wealth expands in our country, it is reassuring to know that libraries are maintained as free and open to all. I also believe that the library can offer a cross section of services such as housing assistance, mental health resources, alternative educational paths and small business assistance. I believe in the potential of a library to exist as more than just a repository for books. I see it as a space in which we can apply the knowledge acquired within—libraries with a car shop, open kitchen, gardens and so much more. I believe libraries should be more than a place where people can just read; libraries need to be spaces where knowledge can be put into practice.

"Upon completion of my degree, I plan to become a Librarian for JPL. I hope to add to the diversity and growth that the library and the City of Jacksonville needs, as it is rare to come across a black male librarian in the U.S., let alone in JPL. Libraries act as a safe space for many children of color, and I believe the faces of those working in safe spaces should reflect the population that inhabits them. I am excited to soon join the ranks of the less than 1,000 male African-American librarians in the United States, so that I can hopefully inspire more young black men to follow suit. We are at a moment in time where the purpose of a library is changing. I hope to be part of that change because a library is a sanctuary and so much more.

"I would also like to add that anyone considering taking the leap into an Information Science Master’s program, now is a great time to consider applying, as FSU has a 100% online program and they have waived their GRE requirement to apply for the program.  Additionally, the city has a great tuition reimbursement program and there are a lot of great scholarships out there!"