This summer, all Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries participated in the TD Summer Reading Club, a province-wide reading program to help kids avoid the summer slide.
Every child who participated in the program was eligible for a provincial prize, and in St. John’s and surrounding areas, every reader 10 years old and up was eligible to be the Provincial Children’s Librarian for a day.
The winner of this inaugural contest was 10-year-old Kirsten O’Leary, an avid reader, library enthusiast, and all around awesome kid.
Here is a little interview, a recap of Kirsten’s big day.
Q: How did you become Children’s Librarian for the day?
A: To be the librarian, I read a lot of books through the summer, for the TD Summer Reading Club. I read close to a hundred books — it kept me busy when I was on vacation! Every time I read at least two books, I would visit the library and put a ballot in for the Librarian for a Day contest.
What was your favorite book that you read this summer?
My favourite book was called “Fairyopolis,” by Glen Bird, about a girl named Cecily Mary Barker who discovered secret flower fairies. I really like books about fairies.
Q: What do you like most about libraries?
A: I like that you get to take out books and that you get to bring them back without having to keep them forever and give them to someone else to read and enjoy!
What do you wish more people knew about libraries?
I wish more people knew that libraries had lots of books with lots of languages, and I wish all our libraries had these books in them. Did you know we have books in Chinese and French and more?!
Q: Walk us through your day as a professional librarian?
A: My day started with a CBC interview on “The Morning Show.” I was nervous at first, because I had never been in the studio before, but it was a lot of fun. After that, I went to the AC Hunter Library, and we were the only people in the whole library because we got here so early. We had a little tour and then we went to our office. I even had my own desk and special name tag.
The first work I did was to help the social media librarian post to Twitter and Facebook about my book recommendations, which were “Owl Diaries: Eva’s Treetop Festival,” by Rebecca Elliott, and “Matilda,” by Roald Dahl. I tagged Rebecca Elliott in the Twitter post and she thanked me and posted emojis of an owl, and books, and a heart. It was too much!
Down in the Children’s Library, I picked out my favourite books (including picture books, French books, chapter books, and audio books) and they were put out on display with signs that said “Kid Librarian Approved.”
Next, we weeded some books, which is when we pick out the older books and send them to other libraries and make more space for newer books.
I also did a TV interview with CBC and I really liked it because we got to move around and film the library in different places.
Another job was ordering. First I selected kids DVDs (movies and T.V. shows) that I recommended and will be bought for the library and some kids’ books to! I got to see what books will be coming out before anyone else.!
The last job was to find out which Hogwarts house I belong in. We did a quiz and I was sorted into everything! All four houses equally, which is apparently incredibly rare, so I got to pick my house and I decided on Gryffindor, just like Harry Potter!
Q: What was your favorite part?
A: My favorite part? I don’t know! Picking out my favourite books, I think, for the display.
Did you learn anything cool that you didn’t know before about being librarian?
There is a secret hidden basement library with lots of old, old books with newspapers that I got to see!
I thought I was going to spend the day checking in books, this was so much more, I had no idea. I can’t even believe it. I had so much fun!
Leigha Chiasson-Locke is the Provincial Children’s Services Librarian with the Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries. Kirsten O’Leary is the Junior Children’s Librarian for a Day contest winner. She is 10 years old.
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