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The library is a record of the everlasting genius of humanity—found in our print and digital collections, activities, and discussions. This record is available to all. Peer learning invites you to take action and create everyday moments to draw forth genius and boldness in your community.

We cannot impose an attitude of learning new things or the ability to develop the mind for anyone. Libraries, however, can help promote lifelong learning and provide access to resources.

By breaking down barriers, librarians can help people learn to think, make sense of things, and succeed at work, home, and school. Whether the barrier is a person’s tendency toward doubt or avoidance, an organization’s bureaucracy, life’s disappointments and interruptions, or being born into poverty, libraries can offer a treasure trove of resources, expertise, and inspiration.

When we make the decision to work in a library, we pledge—or should pledge—to learn to use our mind to think. Neil deGrasse Tyson, American astrophysicist, cosmologist, planetary scientist, and author, states, “Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.”(1)

We commit ourself to nurturing and expressing our best self. We hold the key within ourself as a staff member and within those we serve that a library organization can thrive. It would be wonderful if we could set these goals and have ample time in the schedule to pursue and achieve them and make contributions to life without interruptions. But such is not the nature of things—handling interruptions, obstacles, and hurdles is part of being a librarian.

By dedicating ourself to the enjoyment of lifelong learning, we can stay focused on becoming the thinking, inspiration-filled, self-determining, and loving person we are meant to be, making the difference between being a nimble learner and a master learner.

Sometimes a habit of hesitancy can get in the way of becoming a master learner. Filling oneself with the love of learning and taking intelligent risks can help overcome reluctance.

A library can put two peers together, but it does not mean they will learn from each other or think more wisely or make better decisions. Yet, peers can support and engage each other to be their best by drawing forth a love of learning. Library staffers can extend a love of learning by mentoring and nurturing library users to be their best. By learning to think through each user interaction and building a repertoire of approaches, librarians can effectively mentor users—and do so as equals—peer to peer.

A good mentor gets excited about learning and learns as much as anyone else—probably more. Our part is not to force learning, but to facilitate it.(2)

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1. Tyson, Neil (@neiltyson). “Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.”

Twitter, May 19, 2012. https://twitter.com/neiltyson/status/203925128483053568 

2. Excerpt adaptation from pages 9 – 13 of Activate Peer Learning In Your Library and Community by Dorothy Stoltz with Elaine Czarnecki, Betsy Diamant-Cohen, and Carrie Sanders (Idlewylde, Maryland: Waldo Publishers © Copyright 2023 by Dorothy Stoltz. All Rights Reserved.)

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