The Accidental Librarian

Honestly, I never wanted to be a librarian. When I was young, at about 8 or 9, I wanted to be a lawyer. Yes, the fight for justice really appeals to me. And look, 18 years later. I am a librarian!

After graduating from NUS, my first aim was to get a job that is stable. It didn’t really matter to me what the job will be like or where it will be.

I still remember visiting the NLB website and looking under the career search and then I chanced upon, ‘Associate Librarian’.

I read the job scope and I didn’t understand a word of it. Still, I applied anyway and I went for the interview. Amazingly, I was accepted. I didn’t expect them to hire me as I was a fresh graduate and I didn’t have any experience. However, I did inform them that I have the passion and the determination to learn whatever is needed out of me.

You will ask, passion? Why will you have passion for something that you don’t want in the first place? Well, my answer is, I have always love reading. Although reading is not really part of my job now, being around books and the desire to interact and talk to people drives me on.

My first day in this job was on 6th October 2008. I will never forget that day. It was so quiet. I was directed to my own table and there, I sat, not knowing what to do. I felt so lost as I waited for the manager to arrive. After talking to the manager, I was as clueless as ever.

I was introduced to so many things and aspects of my job. The programmes (Storytelling, J Specials, Fun With Tots), the advisory counters and of course ASK! There were also class visits and outreaches. It was a quite a pile of work and yes, I did started to doubt myself. I started to ask if this is really what I want, if this job is really suitable for me.

I am not a confident person though many people think I am judging from my happy-go-lucky image. As this job requires a lot of presentation, I wasn’t sure at all.

But something in me tells me that I have to keep on trying and keep on working hard. Then, I realize that this feeling is what they say ‘passion’.

Now, 2 years and 3 months later, I am very happy to say that I LOVE MY JOB!

From a job that I barely knew and wanted, to a job that I am determine to make it worthwhile. I don’t aspire to be the best librarian or the best worker. I aspire to be a real and honest worker. I don’t have many goals and neither do I have lofty aims. But what I do want is for me to continue contributing to NLB. As long as I am still wanted, I am and will be very much happy.

It always makes me smile and makes my day when the children say hi to me or when parents take the time to ask my whereabouts when they have not seen me conducting the sessions. At least they cared and at least they bother. Where else can you find a job that is very fulfilling?

I have a great job and great colleagues so what else can I wish for?

So, at first, it’s accidental. Now, I can safely say that I choose to be a librarian.

Love,
Aslin

The Accidental Librarian