Name: Leonee Zito

Position: Youth Services (and Technology) Librarian

Qualification: young(ish) J , spunky, enthusiastic, worked with young people since I was 18, and still at uni studying a post-grad in Information and Knowledge Management so I can be an official librarian

Organisation: Melbourne Library Service (via City of Melbourne)

Previous positions: Children’s and Youth Services Librarian, summer camp connoisseur and substitute teacher

What’s great about your job?

Finding things which inspire me and being able to produce them creatively for ‘young adults’ as programs or events. Also, all the groovy people I work with and meet on a daily basis.

What’s the most fun experience you’ve had at work?

Because I’m new in this youth position and haven’t done much yet in the way of programs or events it has to be all the great author talks and seminars I’ve been to in the last 6 months including the Reading Matters Conference (good times!)

Describe a typical day at work.

Answering emails; do a desk shift or two; whack together a few proposals; brainstorm ideas for events with other staff; develop the YA, Graphic and (soon to be) Anime collections by looking up movie trailers and other book lists from around the world; updating the ‘Yoof’ Myspace page; and, collecting feedback forms for the Nintendo Wii trial and putting it onto the computer. There is also training which can include author talks, personality or leadership development, and other presentations at the State Library. There are also regular meetings which occur.

What do you find rewarding and challenging about you job?

The reward is hoping that through my team’s efforts we will be making an impact on young people’s lives which will consequently strengthen their sense of self worth and place in the world. Challenges are many as the above inspiration/goal is a huge one, but that is also why it is a reward in the end— it is overcoming a challenge and seeing the fruits of our labour produce results which will educate, entertain and inspire young people.

What are the personal skills & attributes that you need to do this job?

You definitely need good customer service skills and like to work with young adults. A passion for innovation, technology like Web 2.0, and being flexible and open to change is a bonus. I also find it important for youth workers to understand once you turn 20 you no longer are ‘in’ the young adult scene anymore, which means you aren’t actually cool in the eyes of teenagers, but by staying in tune to how they act, think and feel as if you still were ‘in’ it can be a great tool for connecting and engaging with them.  

Home - Upcoming Events - Career Options - Learning Institutions - Workplaces -  People - Salaries - Media - Working Overseas - Top 10 - Using this wiki