I am a creative, driven and service-focused Customer Experience Representative dedicated to  augmentation of individual customer needs within a synergistic environment. Combined with my penchant (possibly addiction) for reading since the age of three, the inclination to pursue context and clarification, and the belief that erudition is attainable until the mortal coil is truly shuffled off, I have found my calling in the library and information services sphere.

Currently nearing completion of a Bachelor of information Degree specialising in Children Librarianship I am blessed to share my working hours as both an assistant at Frankston High School Junior Resource Centre (JRC) and a customer service officer with Connected Libraries Victoria.

At Frankston in addition to my fundamental role (readers advisory for junior and middle school students, resource assistance for staff, and circulation and administration duties) I have undertaken a personal mission to engage senior (specifically VCE) students located on a separate campus without their own library facilities. Through creation of a Digital Toolbox through the JRC SmartSuite LMS I provide introduction and links to innovative online tools, “how-to” tutorials for the under-used databases, basic and advances search techniques, resource location and referencing techniques to prepare students for tertiary education. My zest for engagement and empowerment of senior pupils has defined my purpose as a Young Adult Librarian.

Connected Libraries (CL) provides engagement with patrons from highly diverse cultural backgrounds, some of whom are newly arrived in Australia – apprehensive, overwhelmed and struggling with communication. I am honoured to welcome and include them into the library collective, to share the wide collection of community language and bilingual resources, conversation classes and support groups. It feels like we’re helping to create a solid foundation upon which to build new experiences in their lives.

CL highly values creativity above convention, generating a personal pursuit of YA participatory activities within the library. Since commencement of my employ in August 2023 I have promoted marketing of the Doveton branch to local secondary schools as a VCE study and resource space and developed display QR codes linking Spotify playlists to assist publicity of 20 YA novels. I am currently composing a framework for a potential YA book club or school discussion initiative based on publications recently banned in the United States and their relevance to Australian youth. Concurrently I am working in collaboration with the Youth Programmes Team towards enhancing young adult readers advisory and promotion, enhancing my own resource familiarity.

Around study and work my interests are varied and stimulating. Since 2007 I have been a member of Lingmarra, an a ‘Capella collective who share stories through global indigenous songs performed in First Nation Australian, Native American, Māori, Samoan, South African and Celtic language. Within the multifaceted CL patronage, I intend to use this experience to encourage bilingual story sharing through music in all age demographics.

I find immense satisfaction in reformatting and editing family video footage, photographs and slides into polished collections, an interest with practical marketing application in my employment.

As a result of parenting two unique progeny, I am also an ardent supporter of LGTBQIA+ and neurodiverse adolescents. I am committed to future library programs for affiliation and facilitation of these communities.