Former school teacher and self-confessed netball addict (“Five games a week constitutes an addiction, right?”), Emma brings a variety of talents as the newest member of the Children and Youth Services team.

“After nine years of teaching English, History, and Drama fulltime in Western Australia, I decided I needed a change. So, two and a bit years ago, I quit my job and moved to a city where I knew virtually no one. Best move I ever made!

In all honesty, my first impression of CTTG Library was ‘Wow!’ It is just such an impressive place. From the Children’s Area through to Relaxed Reading, the library offers something for almost everyone. Now to bring the Teen Area to the party! Plans – I have them!

As part of the Children and Youth Services (C&YS) team, I’ve dressed up as a cat, gone singing in the rain, and had a moment of piratical storytelling. I’ve created wonderful scrapbooks and stunning artworks; transformed kids into mythical sea creatures and made fish out of feathers and clay.

And those were just on the quiet days.

As well as helping the rest of the fabulous C&YS team deliver school programs and holiday fun, one of the best parts of my job is that I get to oversee the Teen Collection – purchasing new books every month and keeping the collection fresh and interesting. Also once a month I facilitate meetings for our Youth Book Group – Cover 2 Cover – where our fabulous members get first dibs on the newest books, share reviews on what they’ve read, talk about movies, and make suggestions on what we might purchase next, all while devouring chocolate, chips, lollies and soft drinks. Plus, I get to accompany them to Borders twice a year, and watch them fill multiple trolleys with the books they believe the Library needs. It’s a truly hard life.

As for how I ended up in the Library? Well, I have always loved libraries. I am an absolute bookworm. I’ve lost count of the number of books I own and I’ve read all of them at least twice. Being the Youth Services Officer means that the wealth of knowledge and experience I racked up over more than a decade in Education doesn’t go to waste. Basically, I get to combine my passion for teaching with my love of books. It really is a win-win situation.”