Thoughts on being a professional

I've had three or four ideas for blog posts recently, but when I don't make time to blog, they get lost in the ether and miscellany of my life. At least in my last post I noted one: what does it mean to be a professional? I've noticed that within the community of librarians (those "degreed" or job-titled folks), not everyone has the same standards of how you do your job. I've seen some behavior that is incomprehensible to me. How can you do x, or not do y, and still call yourself a professional? It's been in my mind for awhile, so today I'll riff on that a bit.

• A professional (in the library biz) takes a stab at a question, even if it's not their area of expertise. Even if the technology is way beyond them. A professional tries.
• A professional is not afraid to say, "I don't know," and then keep trying.
• A professional can say, "I didn't think of that," and give credit to another's good idea.
• A professional can learn from anyone: younger, older, peer.
• A professional thinks about the patrons.
• A professional goes the extra mile (which can get them in trouble.)
• A professional cares.
• A professional may "lose it" at a meeting (we all lose it sometimes), but a professional tries to improve their behavior - they don't keep "losing it," meeting after meeting.
• A professional has a bad day, or a bad week, and so sometimes fails to live up to the idea of a professional. But they acknowledge that, and move on.
• A professional wants to do something for the profession, and does it when they can.
• A professional learns and grows in their profession.

And now, back to my regularly scheduled workday. Take care out there.