My Passion For Library Science by Bijou

My Passion For Library Science by Bijou - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

After completing my bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in public relations, I plan to complete a master’s program in Library Sciences and start my career as a public librarian. I intend to use my education to create and promote accessible library resources for underserved communities as they play such a crucial role in our society.

When examining the ways we receive information in an age of ever-changing technology, the powerful role that communications serves in molding our opinions and guiding our actions is quite clear. With the abundance of media we are exposed to on a daily basis, our viewpoints are constantly being shaped by messaging that we internalize, often implicitly. In recognizing the power that can be wielded with a knowledgeable use of public relations, it is important to me that I use my degree to create positive change.

It has always been my belief that the public library system provides a level of support for our society that often goes underappreciated. My experience of being raised in poverty gave me the opportunity to witness the educational skills that the public library system provides for those in the community who need it and inspired me to contribute once I got older. Growing up in a low-income household, there were many periods throughout my childhood when my family did not have access to the internet or housing so we spent many hours at the library taking advantage of all their resources. As an avid reader from a young age, I loved being able to read as many books as I wanted at no extra cost to my mother. The more time we spent at public libraries, the more I participated in their programs where I got to meet other kids and try things like crafts, sewing, simple recipes, and even yoga. Without the assistance of the public library, I'm not sure how I would have navigated the obstacles I faced throughout my childhood.

I have seen how public libraries are able to provide support and information to those in need firsthand. I was lucky enough to be informed of their educational resources when many others did not. It is a personal goal of mine to give the public library system a bigger platform to showcase what they have to offer the community by entering the field directly. My greatest aspiration is to receive the funds to continue my educational journey and devote my life to service in this way.