Buddhism is based on simple beliefs, known as the Four Noble Truths. The first truth, life means suffering, is only more important than the third truth, the cessation of suffering. The universality of these truths transcends religion, culture and society. I have seen these truths made manifest in libraries. Members of the communities we serve suffer from a lack of information and knowledge, and the library provides a means to the cessation of that suffering. Libraries and their staff should provide the services needed to alleviate the suffering caused by lack of information. My professional philosophy as a librarian can be found among the teachings of the Buddhist master, Atisha. His level of enlightenment allowed him to share with us qualities that will aid in the cessation of suffering. Atisha states that the greatest quality is seeking to serve others, the greatest achievement is selflessness, the greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances and the greatest precept is continual awareness. A life lived by these principles, even a professional life, would be richly rewarding and purposeful.

The greatest quality is seeking to serve others. Libraries provide specialized services to the community. Librarians are caretakers of information, and as a part of their responsibilities, they must ensure that it is being used properly. They are among the few types of people qualified and trained to locate, retrieve and evaluate information at a professional level. Apart from providing collections of information and knowledge that hopefully enrich the minds of the community, the library provides technology that connects individuals, programs to improve the literacy of the community, and the facilities and assistance needed to further life-long education.

The greatest achievement is selflessness and the greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances. The level of service a librarian provides to their patrons should not be based on appearance, socioeconomic or cultural standing, race, religion or creed. It should be tailored to every separate experience based on the information need and intellectual capacity of the patron. Librarians should take advantage of every opportunity to teach patrons information literacy skills that will make them more adept in navigating the world of information. In order to accomplish this, library staff needs to be well versed in multiple customer service skills and teaching techniques that will allow them to interact with their patrons. The library’s staff should be as diverse as the community it serves which will assist in overcoming language barriers and suspected stereotypes.

The greatest precept is continual awareness. Libraries are a reflection of their communities. The library’s collection should meet the informational needs of its community and change as the community changes. Libraries face a unique challenge when fulfilling the charge to provide for their communities. They must balance their professional mandate of supporting intellectual freedom and fighting censorship while supporting their parent institution’s goals and image. Many time libraries must portray themselves as conservative, progressive and liberal all at the same time to meet the individual needs of those for which they are responsible.

By living these principles, I plan to experience a full life as a librarian. I will work to achieve the qualities Atisha has shared, whether I work in front end or behind the scene services of the library. I will serve my patrons without bias, meeting their unique needs individually. I will not allow my personal morals and beliefs or anyone else’s to infringe on the intellectual freedom and privacy of my patrons. I will prove myself as a champion against those who wish to censor. My positive influence will be found in the policies and programs of the future libraries I will work in. My goal is to bring an end to the suffering caused by lack of information and knowledge.