Fun with Tots

Librarians in public libraries lead a hectic life and children's librarians spend a considerable amount of time conducting programmes for children and sometimes parents as well!

One of the more challenging programmes to conduct is "Fun with Tots". It's a 30 min programme for parents & their toddlers of 3 or younger. We pack it with stories, songs & rhymes to help parents teach early literacy skills to their little tikes. It takes energy to interact with curious, "hyperactive" toddlers and also communicate intellectual tips to parents. From time to time, there'll be this one kid who has just learned to run and insists on demonstrating his skill to everyone! It's always a joy though and we have many parents who come back for more. You can find out more about our programmes by visiting http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like...

A great thing about local kids is that most of them come to the libraries when school's out and the activities organised by us can be enjoyed. Most of them could be taking advantage of the DEAR promotion to double up on their borrowing too- it feels good to see parents and children come with their big carrier bags to stock up and ensure they have enough reading materials ready for "winter". It's also heart-warming to see families spending quality time together in the cafes attached to our branches. It's the 'feel good' season and I tried to add to the year-end celebrations with some activites in my branch. While there are crowds galore thronging the streets of Orchard Road, "jingle bells" pervading the aisle of NTUCs, and rain whipping down the heartlands, one can enjoy some (relative) quiet time and some festive cheer in the library too. It's nice and toasty inside as compared to the torrential downpour outdoors, and, children love being surrounded by so many other kids inside the children's section.

While there is no snow in Singapore, that does not stop many folks from artificially creating some to add to the mood. I got a spraycan from 'Art Friend' and decorated the publicity stand with it. I could not resist adding 2 santa bears to the stand as well as they looked so cute in their red hats and scarfs. They were also quite cheap at about $3 each. I did up a poster and voila, presto, my stand was set. Now all I could do was hope for some "bites". Later I added a santa hat to the top of the stand but I regretted it a little because I had to snip a small hole at the side of said hat to do so. But I still loved it overall and it served it's function to announce to programmes to the kids. Another thing I did to decorate the 3rd level was request paintings from Minds Towner Gardens. As I did storytelling sessions there before, I once received a token of appreciation in the form of an artwork, and was impressed by the talent shown. The school very kindly loaned me 7 a3 sized paintings and here you can see one of them. I also spraypainted the glass walkways with my left over "snow". I wanted to create something special to promote the J Specials that would be taking place.

Three stories & crafts were done for December and they included: Gingerbread man Ornament, Snowflake Bookmark, and Snowman Card. These are enjoyable yet simple art activities that cater to the very young kids (about 4 years onwards) up to those around 9 or 10 years old. For the Gingerbread man Ornament craft, I was thinking of how much kids love that ageless classic about the cheeky gingerbread man who comes to live but is eaten up in the end. There is also something charming about creating your own creature and pretending it becomes real! Not to mention the fact that I found Jonathan Allen's 'Gingerbread Bunny' to read to them. I love having them guess the surprise behind the flaps! Something was baking in the oven over here, and out popped many versions of "franken-gingerbread" men and women. You can trust kids to create the funniest things. I was joking with one of the boys that he created "gingee shiva" because his' creature had three eyes. Another boy created a 'man' that resembled himself in gingerbread man form. And a very cute small girl came up with a depressed looking gingerbread man. I was very amused. Check out the artwork!

Now, I am gearing up for the next school holiday in June 2011- Something tells me a couple of us will be having the best month ever. Cockle art anyone?

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