I had occasion to reflect on what the Kelley Library is today as compared to 10 years ago, and it is a different place (well, hopefully we kept what was good about the library!). I have an unending devotion to change, and I like it everywhere and anywhere. At the same time, I have come across a lot of people who would rather have nothing change ever. For many years, I have wondered what causes these extreme differences.
I think I came across some possible explanations. I grew up in a family where changes happened regularly, but not so often or terrible types that would disrupt our lives. My mom moved the furniture around regularly. The result was a constant freshening of our home while retaining the familiar. I learned from this and changed the furniture in my own room around often, loving the feeling of being in a new place. We moved a couple of times, but stayed in the same community, again achieving change without it being too difficult. I changed elementary schools every couple of years due to the community redistricting the schools to keep a balance of students. I met new friends, but enough familiar faces that again, it wasn't too terrible. I have kept the same patterns throughout my life - changing homes, jobs, and moving around furniture. I embrace change because of it being a familiar part of my life that has only been positive.
But people more reluctant to embrace change have grown up living in the same house for extended periods of their lives, went to one school with the same classmates, have worked in the same place for a long time, and live in homes where moving furniture around is impossible due to the size and shape of the room. Simply lack of positive experience with change, makes change scary.
So our changes at the library can either please the change-embracers, or offer positive opportunities to discover that change is a great addition to life. After all, part of our mission is to support life-long growth!
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