Singapore Library Week: I don't Shhh! for a Living

From the Singapore Library Week 2007, "I don't Shhh! for a Living" segment:

Ivan Chew
Manager
Adult & Young People Services
National Library Board


I don’t “Shhh!” for a living.

Although I wish I did.

That would be the easiest job in the world. Shushing people. Index finger to lips. Pucker and Shhh! Get paid. Easy-peasy.

But it's a good thing I don't.


[How I look in my SecondLife]

For one, wrinkles form more easily if one puckers the lips too much (guys are a little concerned about looks too!). Two, it'll be a boring and meaningless excuse for a job.

For me, librarianship (public librarianship, to be specific) is a calling. Not in the religious sense but closer to a philosophically of why we do what we do.

As a public librarian, you wear many hats:

• Retail or Sales Executive (you help people with their "purchase", advising them on what "product" to buy or use)
• Marketing Executive (you publicise the library's services and products)
• Event Manager (you organise programmes and activities)
• Trainer (you conduct workshops)
• Talkshow host (you chair programmes and events; facilitate book discussions)
• Administrative Executive (reports to write; you may have to manage budgets)
• Inventory or Store Manager (you are part of the process in managing the library materials to be added or removed)
• Security Officer (you look after the safety and well-being of those who use your premises)
• Customer Relations Executive (you deal with customers, both the nice and not-so-nice ones)
• Project Manager (you organise and lead projects; you most certainly work in teams)
• Researcher (you answer reference enquiries and help customers search for information)
• Writer (you write book reviews)
• Coach (you might end up mentoring or leading staff)
• Customer (you read; you have to; enough said).

[How I look in my "First Life"]


[Why I share: Because each time I teach, I also learn]


[I looked blur then. And still do now.]

See? I wish I'd only Shhhed people for a living.

With so many things to do, why did I stick with being a librarian for the last 11 years?

Because in simple terms, I think I'm contributing some good to society. It's a nice feeling.

Better than pursing one's lips.