My job: Using books to open young minds

Amelia Antonio loves the challenge of getting young people interested in reading. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Name: Amelia Antonio.
Age: 31.
Role: Librarian Rangatahi (youth).
Hours: 40 hours a week. Sometimes extra hours in evenings when running special programmes.
Salary: Band 5: $40,000 - $54,000, increasing annually depending on performance review and qualifications.
Qualifications: Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 6) from The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.

What do you do?

I'm based at Mangere East Library where my responsibility is to encourage teens (11 to 18 year olds) into libraries to read and become independent users of the library.

We have four full-time staff, two half time and three library assistants here.

I've been here three years and in libraries for seven. My role includes going into the community to promote the library. I go to high schools and intermediates during term time and we also invite classes, youth groups and community groups into the library. A lot haven't been in before.

I also run other smaller activities, including our monthly book club where teens discuss what they've been reading - and all sorts of things. We regularly get 30 to 40 teens turning up.

I spend a lot of time working with a wider Manukau Libraries youth librarian team planning events and activities to encourage youth into the library. We're currently running special events for Manix4, an annual teen reading challenge held throughout Manukau.

This year we've been doing activities around a different genre each week. Last week we looked at the horror genre and we ran a "What Happens in the Library After Dark" night. It is great fun. I also do frontline duties, dealing with all customers.

Why did you choose library work?

I've always loved reading but I fell into library work by accident, really. I originally trained in journalism in Rotorua, then moved to Auckland to look after my father when he became unwell. I was going to stay a year, but then I saw a job as library assistant at Mangere Town Centre Library and I went for it.

I did this role for about three years, while working towards my level six diploma in library studies. I qualified in 2007 and I'm now doing a Bachelor of Arts in information and library studies.

After I got my diploma, I was promoted to youth librarian at Papatoetoe Library. I came to Mangere East Library in 2008 because it is closer to home and I felt I knew the teens in this area better.

Why is reading so important?

Manukau has the highest youth population in New Zealand and we believe we can play a huge role in lifting the literacy skills of teens and children.

Books expand your vocabulary, knowledge and skills and understanding of the wider world. I've really noticed how some teens' vocabulary and ability to hold good conversations expand once they start reading. Often teens will read something in a book, then want to know more so they'll ask us, or go online in the library and Google places, words and events.

Best part of the job?

Interaction with teens. They are one of the hardest groups to interact with, and I love the challenge of breaking down barriers and getting them talking to me.

What training or experience is important with this job?

You need at least a level six diploma, a love of reading and a huge interest in interacting with the public.

What skills do you need?

You need to develop rapport with teens through a good understanding of current trends with the internet, music, gaming, fashion and literature. We can hook teens into reading through their interests, then broaden their horizons and literacy further. I really enjoy a lot of the same music and stuff and I love the interactions. I also have a younger sister, which helps.

As a youth librarian you must know your teen collection really well so you can recommend and discuss books easily. And you have to be able to listen. We got feedback from our teens that they didn't like the alphabetical approach of organising books because it made it hard to find their favourite genres. So we now have our collection divided into genres, which is working well.

What is your favourite genre?

Horror and Life; by which I mean stories that relate to your own experiences.

Most challenging part?

Time! If I could survive on two hours' sleep, this job would be superb.

Advice to someone interested in library work?

Look for jobs in libraries on Seek and in the local papers. My assistant job was a great way to see how libraries work.

What's next for you?

I will stay as long as the teens and I continue to interact and understand each other. So maybe I've got another three to five years ... When I get my BA I may take the next step into a managerial role.

angela@careerideas.co.nz