Every library is a special place devoted to the books that can take children on so many different kinds of adventures. At Hiba Academy Shanghai, we want to encourage a love of reading in our children as early on as possible, and our library is an essential part of this goal. Equally important are its library team, Lynn Chen (librarian)and Lee Li (library assistant), as they are the ones who help the children enjoy the library to the fullest. They have kindly shared with us a little of their professional history as well as their future plans for the nursery’s library. Why did you want to become a librarian? Lynn Chen (LC): I used to work as a classroom primary teacher and I felt that a lot of children’s storybooks were actually quite simple and boring, but then I read the book Stuck in the Mud and it helped me make an important realisation. It is a children’s book, but it is written in a very interesting manner and – despite its simplicity – it can be interpreted in a number of different ways. This got me thinking about the importance of giving children engaging books that can improve their curiosity and reasoning skills. This led me to want to become a librarian, so I can help children find the books that really excite and interest them.
Lee Li (LL): Most of all, I love reading, and I love working with children, so it’s a very natural fit to work in a children’s library! I think the main reason it appealed to me is because I wanted to help channel the natural energy that children have when it comes to reading and telling stories. Children continually show different ways of thinking about books. This is a big part of the magic inherent in the job – every day is different and exciting because of the children.
What are the main activities and daily routines you perform in the library?
LC: Every day we have different classes coming in for their scheduled library sessions. We make sure that every time each class comes to the library they will have a fun, enjoyable and educationally useful visit. Group reading sessions are a very important part of what we do, and we also guide the older children who are allowed to choose books to sign out and take home with them. Much of our time is spent engaging with the children to help them understand what kind of books excite and interest them.
LL: We also enjoy preparing crafts sessions linked to a story. For example, the children made the lovely snowflake decorations that are currently hanging from the library’s ceiling. What do the children enjoy most about being in the library? LC: The older ones really love signing out new books to take home. They are always telling me that they miss their books whenever they have to bring them back to the library! We feel that this is a very important way to encourage a love of reading, by letting the children find books that they care about and can look after themselves. LL: I would have to say the group reading sessions. Whenever we are reading stories together, the atmosphere is always fantastic. The children are always focused and deeply curious to find out what will happen next. It is important to try and bring stories to life for young children, and group reading is a great way to do this.
And what element of your work at the library do you enjoy most?
LC: My favourite part is seeing a child’s smiling face when I know that they are really enjoying a book. When they genuinely connect with the story and are expressing the emotions it makes them feel, this is what makes the job worthwhile.
LL: Again, for me it is reading with the children. You forge a very special connection with them during this time. Also, children are always surprising adults with their own unique way of interpreting stories. The amusing and interesting things they say about the books they read always make me smile. Do you often get new books and resources delivered to the library? LC: Every term we buy new books to make sure that there is something that appeals to every child as well as plenty of new stories to keep them interested and excited about coming back to the library. Specifically, next term we want to expand our selection of non-fiction books, to provide more challenging reading material for the older pupils.
LL: We have a great mix of Chinese and English books. We also have both English and Chinese versions of many of the same books. Our goal is to always make sure that every child has access to the books that they enjoy.
Are there any big projects or events to look forward to at the library?
LC: We had celebrating “ Book Day“ last week, where the children dress up as characters from their favourite books. What a splendid time the children had opportunity to learn from a lecturer and researcher (children’s literature), Zhao Qiong PhD with a dramatic performance and storytelling session.
What skills do you need to be a good librarian? LC: You need to have a very good memory to remember all the children but also to remember their individual reading preferences – what kind of stories they like, what genres, what topics, what styles, and so on. Whether a child likes dinosaurs, or adventure stories, or fairy tales, it is always important to understand their preferences, so you can recommend something that they will love. Is it difficult to help children try out new kinds of books? LC: Sometimes it can be difficult, because children know what they like and many of them want to stick with that same genre or even the same book! However, usually they don’t need too much encouragement to give something else a try. Once we get them into the habit of experimenting with a couple of new stories which we have recommended, then they will usually be happy to try more.
Do you have a favourite memory of your time at the library? LC: Recently we asked parents to give recommendations for books that they themselves read as children. This was a great opportunity for the parents to become more involved with what we are doing at the library. For us, it is very important to help children and their parents enjoy reading and exploring new books together. LL: During one class we had a performance of the book: I Want my Hat Back. We read the story together and then performed it as a group. It was so special to see the children bring the story to life with their own boundless energy and imagination.
