Let’s Talk About It: Health Sciences Librarianship

In this Let’s Talk About It blog post, I want to discuss a little bit of my journey into health sciences librarianship.

If you had told me years ago that I’d end up as a health sciences librarian, I probably would have looked at you sideways. Because after undergrad, I had a plan. I was going to be a social worker, no doubt about it. I wanted to help people navigate systems that weren’t built for them and be that person who could make someone’s life just a little bit easier. So, I worked my way up in human services, eventually becoming a case manager. I saw firsthand how the world treats people who are struggling, how folks fall through the cracks simply because they don’t have the right information or support. And I did my best to bridge those gaps. The work was rewarding; however, we were underpaid, so I had to work at least one to two per diem jobs to make ends meet. 

Before settling on social work, I had considered other careers, too. I considered librarianship, but when I learned it required a master’s degree, I knew it wasn’t an option for me right after undergrad. As someone who was financially independent, pursuing another degree just wasn’t feasible at the time. I thought about law because if I couldn’t help people within the system, maybe I could fight against it. Nursing crossed my mind because I admired how nurses could provide direct, tangible care. And teaching? I actually tried that. I originally went to college to become a teacher, believing that working with children would be my lifelong career path. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that the classroom wasn’t the issue; it was the system itself. The disparities, the lack of resources, and the policies that seemed designed to fail certain students. It was too much for me to overlook.

Then, as life does, I was reminded that systemic problems exist in every profession. There’s no escaping them, and that’s the sad reality. But instead of letting that discourage me, I started thinking differently. Maybe I wouldn’t find a perfect job without systemic challenges, but I could find one where my skills and passions aligned. I also wanted a career that could support me financially without the need to juggle multiple jobs. Unfortunately, the reality of inflation and the cost of raising children would soon make that much more challenging, sigh. Let’s be honest, this profession is undervalued and underpaid, which only adds another layer to my financial reality.

After much thought and support from my spouse, I decided to take a chance on librarianship. Even though I had never seen a Black librarian in a school library or public school or academic library, I had to embrace a bit of science fiction-level imagination, envisioning myself in a space where I had never seen someone like me. More specifically, I set my sights on health sciences librarianship. It was like a light bulb went off while doing my diversity fellowship at Upstate Medical Center. I could still help people, but in a way that focused on access, access to knowledge, access to information, and access to the tools that could empower them to advocate for their own health and well-being. Also, I would support those nurses I thought I wanted to become. It felt like a natural fit, blending my social work background with my love for research and learning.

Now, as a health sciences librarian, I teach people how to find reliable health information. I train other librarians so they can do the same. I supported researchers, clinicians, and community members in understanding health literacy because knowing where to find trustworthy health information can literally save lives. And most importantly, I still get to be a support to people, just in a different way.

The current administration has made it increasingly difficult for scientists, healthcare professionals, and public health advocates to do their jobs effectively. Attacks on medical research, misinformation campaigns, and potential funding cuts to critical health programs have all contributed to a growing disruption to health equity. This environment makes the role of health sciences librarians even more crucial as we work to provide access to accurate, evidence-based health information. Ensuring that people can find and understand trustworthy health resources is not just a professional responsibility; it is a necessary act of resistance in the fight for health equity.

Choosing this path was the perfect intersection of my passions—health sciences and librarianship. I didn’t realize just how much there would be to fight for in this profession, but I’m grateful that I found my voice along the way. The system continues functioning exactly as designed, keeping people like me out. But even within those constraints, I can still do my part to dismantle white supremacy culture. So, no, I didn’t become a lawyer, a nurse, or a teacher. But I did become something just as powerful, a health sciences librarian. And while I wouldn’t change a thing about my path, I remain open to pivoting as my fascination with research continues to grow.

What about you? Have you ever found yourself in a career you didn’t expect? I’d love to hear your thoughts.