All Done!

Well, my dissertation is off to the binders - although it will be a few days before I can hand it in (and even longer before I “officially” graduate), I’m going to go ahead and give myself permission to do a happy dance now.

Earlier today I was remembering my library school induction, which was exactly one year ago tomorrow. It was a very intensive year, and in many ways very different from what I had imagined, but looking back now it all seems to have gone by so fast. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how I feel. There’s relief, but I also feel a little lost now that something that took over my life for so many months has been completed, especially as I’m still not sure what the future holds. As my fellow book blogger and recent library school graduate Stefanie was saying a few months ago, if only this milestone came with a shiny new library job wrapped up in a bow.

One thing I do know for sure, though: I’m incredibly happy that I’ll have the time and the energy to read outside my research topic again, and I can’t wait to resume regular blogging, commenting and e-mailing. I’ve missed talking books with you all, and most of all I missed the sense of intellectual companionship that comes with it. The last few months were intellectually engaging and satisfying, but working on a big project on your own is also a lonely experience. It’s wonderful to be able to come back.