The year was 1991. I sat in a public school in Indiana (USA) taking a “test” that asked us questions about our personalities, interests, things we were good at, etc. We scribbled in the corresponding bubbles on our answer sheets and they were sent off to be analysed by a computer. I was so excited to receive back the slip of paper that would tell me exactly what I already knew–that I was to be an artist. Or maybe a missionary to an exotic country? A veterinarian would not be a far stretch! But the number one suggested career glaring at me from the top of the list: LIBRARIAN.

You can not understand the level of devastation I felt. My obnoxious older brother burst out laughing and started dancing around singing, “You’re going to be a librarian!” until my mum made him stop. A professional toilet cleaner would have been a more welcome career than a librarian! You see, we had only one experience our entire childhood with librarians. They were MEAN, seemed to hate children and would not help you find books on the topic you wanted no matter how nicely you asked.

Thankfully, the number two profession on the list was teaching. This appealed to me immensely and upon graduating I commenced earning a degree in education. It was during this time that I met the most amazing woman–a librarian! She was extraordinarily knowledgable and enthusiastic. All the student-teachers learned that our first stop in planning any lessons had to be to her. Her creativity, passion and knowledge of resources was immense and inspiring. I remember briefly thinking that I might like her job one day…

A year into earning my degree, at the ripe age of 19, I married my Aussie man. After graduating I taught Foundation (Prep or Kinder depending on your State) for five years before giving birth to our first child, a daughter. When she was 4-months old we moved to Australia to be closer to my husband’s family. I started doing Casual Relief Teaching which I kept up even while adding a boy and two more girls to our crazy crew! When my youngest started school I took on permanent part-time work teaching Art in the Senior and Middle School and working a few periods a week in the library. I had covered the library during the teacher-librarian’s long service leave twice over the years and absolutely loved it. She told me I should consider taking her position when she retires at the end of this year and the principal agreed!

Thus, it will be 30 years from the time I read that prophetic note telling me I should become a librarian that I actually will!

In those 30 years, I have had so many experiences (from organising international conferences, to having a child with special needs, to teaching pre-literacy skills in three-year-old kinder, to living internationally, and so many more!) that have inflamed my devotion to nurture in every student a passion for life-long learning.

Please join me on my learning journey of fulfilling my destiny of becoming a teacher-librarian.