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​Student Focus: Monika Nair

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Talofa lava and Namaskaram. My name is Monika and I am a half Samoan and half Indian woman from beautiful, South Auckland. I work at Tupu Youth library - the only youth library in New Zealand and I am blessed to be the Senior librarian for Children’s services. I remember finishing high school and looking at the UoA pamphlets, noticing that ‘Librarian’ was a career and then thinking, who would want to be a librarian? Ten years later – It’s me! I wanted to be a librarian and now I am a Children’s librarian and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job/career! When I’m not working or studying I love binge watching Harry Potter and Friends and spending time with my family and fiancé.  ​

​Talofa lava and Namaskaram Monika! Can you describe your library journey up to this point?
This journey has been a surprising one but definitely a great one! I started my library journey as a casual library assistant in 2014, a year that was meant to be my gap year from uni. However, that changed when I found my passion in libraries. Now, 6 years later, I am a Senior Librarian – Children and Youth at Tupu Youth library, Auckland Libraries, and absolutely LOVE my job. I’m in my dream role at the moment but I aspire to become a library manager one day, which is why I’ve taken on studying towards my future career goals.

​How long have you been studying and what qualification are you currently studying towards?
I properly started my studies at Open Polytechnic pursuing the Bachelor of Arts: Library and Information degree in 2016. I am currently doing my last paper for this degree and will hopefully graduate this year.

​Can you tell our readers about your experience in this programme and its benefits to librarianship?
Everything I have learnt through my work experience as a librarian, has been emphasised through my studies. I am a very practical learner however, because libraries are such a diverse place of learning and growing, the programme I’m in helps me to understand the library world better through relevant readings and assessments.

​What made you decide to study for a LIS qualification?
I chose to study this because I really have found my passion in library services. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that this would be the career for me, however libraries have broadened my perspective on what they offer, and what my skills can offer them. Not only am I serving my community, I am also educating and supporting my community with the resources and information that libraries provide. I love that in particular, I can do this for my community tamariki as a children’s librarian, showcasing the skills I’ve brought and developed over the years.

​How do you juggle study and work?
I’ve been full time working and part time studying for the past 3 years now and I’m not gonna lie, it’s been tough. However, because I can draw my experiences to my assignments, it’s been better doing the assignments than it has the readings – because I’m a terrible procrastinator, lol. It helps though, having a great support system which I am blessed with at home, but also my fellow colleagues who study as well and encourage me to keep on top of my work, reminding me why I am doing this.

​Can you tell us about what your job at Tupu Youth Library involves?
Firstly, Tupu Youth library is the only youth library in New Zealand and might I just add, the best library in the world hehe! We are surrounded by our community’s tamariki from primary to high school and we have a great relationship with them. As the children’s librarian, I outreach to 19 preschools and primary schools every month for story time sessions. I also lead Wriggle and Rhyme sessions in the library for our babies and toddlers which is such a fun time with the tamariki and parents. I also, with the support of my amazing work colleagues, host big story time plays at the library and run school holiday programs. We are a very LOUD library but a fun and caring library too which helps us connect and serve our community.

​What advice would you give to someone considering studying towards a library qualification?
If you are in libraries right now and have a gut feeling that this is the place for you, then do it!! You’re in a great environment of learning, growing and serving and this is only enhanced as you study towards not just a job, but a career.
​​​This interview first appeared in the May 2020 Issue of Library Life Magazine

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