A Cheerleading Librarian
I worked as a library technician at a community college for about a year at the time, overseeing the reserved textbooks area. A student walks up and says “Hi Ms. Librarian. I need help”. I was not a librarian at the time, but when I look back on the MLIS and those three years working in a public library during undergrad and everything that has led to my career as of now, that is exactly who I was. I responded politely and showed the student how to navigate our website and find articles in the database. It was effortless. I sat down and a librarian (whom I now credit for being my cheerleading librarian) walked by my desk and said “You are a librarian, girl. Get your MLIS degree”. She walked back to her desk and within minutes sent me the information about San Jose State University’s (SJSU) iSchool program along with other resources. I applied.
Prior to starting the program, that same librarian passed away. When I look back, I find myself using some of the same approaches that she imparted to me in my own mentoring practices with the BIPOC LIS students I connect with, such as discussing goals, sharing her successes and challenges in the MLIS program, resources (e.g., books, articles and/or webinars for professional development), how to navigate the profession as a Black woman, and always leading with kindness in our interactions.
These moments are etched into who I am as a cheerleading librarian.
In the MLIS program, I remember how it felt to be a woman of color during that time. Often feeling “othered” in discussion posts or during group zoom sessions, feelings of imposter syndrome and anxiety at times felt overwhelming. I found solace in connecting with current and retired librarians in the California Librarians Black Caucus, an affiliate of BCALA. I found value in the way everyone shared their experiences, the challenges, and successes, offered advice, encouragement, and cheered me on.
After graduating in the spring of 2021, I was energized and passionate about entering this field, but before I could focus on the type of librarian I wanted to become. I knew that I wanted to help those, especially BIPOC LIS students, in some way. I volunteered for a cafe chat on zoom where the SJSU ALA Student chapter would host a panel of alumni. We shared our experience as librarians from the application process to the interviews to our role and responsibilities in our library. After the cafe, I would share my contact information as most panelists would. I had no idea how many zoom conversations and emails I would receive from current and prospective students wanting to connect. The conversations of many BIPOC students I speak with usually begin with “I am so happy to see a woman of color as a librarian!” Our conversation would shift from my current role as a Student Success Librarian at Santa Clara University to them openly sharing their own challenges including thoughts of leaving the field all together. I continue to participate in online events like this one and make myself available to students as much as I can.
Simply put, I cheer them on by acknowledging their experience and sharing mine while imparting advice, connecting them to webinars or sharing books that I have found helpful, and echoing how much their backgrounds and perspectives are needed in this profession, a sentiment that I had once received from a team of librarians that supported me.
This is what librarianship is: building relationships, supporting one another, and cheering each other on, especially those BIPOC LIS students that are going through what we all have gone through and maybe a simple “You can do it!” will help them to finish that assignment they have been procrastinating on or an encouraging email telling them to finish the semester strong, and ultimately receive their MLIS degree. As LIS professionals, we understand the value and the importance of continuing to diversify this field. I challenge you to extend yourself (when you can) and cheerlead someone on.
And if you are someone that needs a cheerleading librarian, I will be that for you.
In memory of Linda Jolivet
Dominique Dozier
earned her MLIS from San Jose State University's iSchool program in 2021. Currently, she is the Student Success Librarian at Santa Clara University. In her role, she serves as the subject librarian to Women and Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies. She supports first generation, first year, and transfer students in the LEAD Scholars Program. In September 2023, Dominique was sworn in as a Library Commissioner for the City of Hayward. Recently, she was accepted into the ALA's Class of 2024 Emerging Leader Program. Her research interests include inclusive pedagogy, student outreach and engagement, and BIPOC recruitment and retention in librarianship.