Interview by: Ann Johannes
In the fifth installment of our Meet Our Staff Series, we’re going to introduce you to Melani, our Supervisor of Collections & Technical Services.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? Family members?
I grew up in Winnipeg and moved to BC in 1995. Eventually the rest of my family moved to BC too so I’m a happy bunny.
What did you do before working at the library?
I worked in an aviation museum, bookstores, a warehouse, and a produce store before taking the library technician program at Langara College.
What do you do at the library?
I am a library technician and primarily work with all aspects of collections from before materials arrive to when we say goodbye.
What do you do in your spare time?
I read, bake, and doodle.
Were you a library user before you started working at the library?
Yes! My favourite memories are of our little Fort Garry branch in Winnipeg.
If you weren’t working at the library, what would you be doing?
I love working with people and I also like to problem-solve, so hopefully helping people in some way.
What’s your favourite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I read it for a summer English course when I was a kid and that was it. Our fabulous teacher also introduced me to Shakespeare properly and made plays really come alive for me. I will always be thankful to him.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau which was fabulous!! And now I am re-reading the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey.
What’s on your “to read” book list?
Anything and everything. I generally choose books the same way I choose wine, by the cover! But I try to read the books on our recommended list and also lots of historical fiction.
What’s your favourite song or album or artist...or what's a song lyric best describes your life...or words to live by?
Honestly, I like too many styles of music, but I love to dance and anything Bossa Nova-ish is fabulous!
What is your favourite resource at the library?
My favourite go-to would be the staff, but other than that (and I’m a bit biased since I’m a cataloguer), I would say the catalogue. You can find anything we have in there – and on our website.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The power to heal.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to know about you?
I can recite the alphabet backwards in under 14 seconds.