Children's Librarian Turns The Pages Of Opportunity Heading For New Responsibilities
It has been a decade since children’s librarian Miss Tina started working at the Moose Jaw Public Library and is now set for a new adventure.
By Natalie Clysdale
After ten years Tina Dolcetti, children’s librarian at the Moose Jaw Public Library, is about to turn another chapter in her story.
Dolcetti who has been a friendly face for countless children with programs, puppets, prose, poems and yes in all of the fun even reading and books is set to make the move to Regina and expand the vision of a library for all to a wider audience.
“I will be starting a brand-new position in Regina that works with a population to seek equality with multi-cultural people and different groups. I look forward to becoming a community seeking librarian and making the library a richer place,” explained Dolcetti.
Miss Tina off to take books to an outreach program - Moose Jaw Public Library Facebook Page
One thing Miss Tina - as she prefers the children to call her - brought was character and originality to the Moose Jaw Public Library and her job. She is not the typical librarian of yesteryear.
And yes as Miss Tina, she has even gone so far as to encourage people to read to their pets.
And her public service message about the number of books people were taking out and returning (see below) during the COVID - 19 pandemic is a classic.
After a decade in the friendly confines of the Moose Jaw Public Library she said it was not easy to take on new challenges and turn the pages in her life.
“It was a very tough decision to make and I am going to miss seeing everyone especially the children,” she said, adding “there are some kids who I have had the opportunity to see go through grade one and now are in grade 11. The oldest kids that were here when I started my position are now going through university,” she said.
It is not just children Dolcetti remembers but former summer staff who also walked into the Moose Jaw Public Library and now are helping children elsewhere. It is something she says she will miss.
“Some of our summer students have gone on to do some great things afterwards such as becoming teachers, and I will miss mentoring people and helping them learn to read. There is a lot of kindness here I would say.”
Originating from Richmond Hill, Ontario Dolcetti came out West to Moose Jaw to put her Masters Degree in Information Studies to good use.
Dolcetti hopes that people in Moose Jaw who attend the library will remember her for displaying an example of successful inclusion and supporting it to become the new normal.
“If you want to make room for people the more the merrier,” she said.
As Miss Tina, children’s librarian, Dolcetti has encouraged people to read to their pets as it is something both owner and pet will enjoy - Moose Jaw Public Library Facebook Page
To make people welcome and the work inviting you need to have flexibility are Dolcetti’s words of advice to others.
“There are many ways to practice inclusion one of them is looking at everyone and not assuming that they can do the exact same thing as everyone else to provide flexibility options. If a person is feeling shy then include them in the conversation and show them that they are welcome. I always think of terms in inclusive design and remember to make sure that people feel included,” she said.
Libraries facilitate an inclusive environment and hold a prominent reputation of a place where people can go and feel welcomed. By being flexible and tailoring to the individual - instead of the individual tailoring to the facility - she said learning is easier for the individual.
And that is what libraries are suppose to be about, she said.
“We are always excited to have people at the library no matter who you are and with no matter what challenges or disabilities you may face. Libraries are not just a place that people sit still and passively learn there are so many ways to learn that are slightly different from each other,” Dolcetti said.
Tina Dolcetti in an on-line message makes fun of the large number of books returned during the COVID - 19 pandemic. Dolcetti is well known for her sometimes over the top promotional style that was not only funny but grabbed people’s attention and got them interested in the Moose Jaw Public Library - photo credit Moose Jaw Public Library Facebook page
Being open to everyone and more inclusive has earned the Moose Jaw Public Library recognition outside of the community something she is particularly proud of.
In 2019, the Moose Jaw Public library was awarded the Accessibility Award from the Centre For Equitable Library Access (CELA) which boasted a positive, welcoming environment in available programs and facilities.
The CELA is dedicated to assist people with print disabilities. A print disability is a learning, physical or visual disability that prevents a person from reading conventional print.