My job: Using books to open young minds
By Angela McCarthy in the New Zealand Herald, Wednesday Jul 14, 2010 

Amelia Antonio loves the challenge of getting young people interested in reading. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Name: Amelia Antonio.
Age: 31.
Role: Librarian Rangatahi (youth).
Hours: 40 hours a week. Sometimes extra hours in evenings when running special programmes.
Salary: Band 5: $40,000 - $54,000, increasing annually depending on performance review and qualifications.
Qualifications: Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 6) from The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.

What do you do?

I'm based at Mangere East Library where my responsibility is to encourage teens (11 to 18 year olds) into libraries to read and become independent users of the library.
We have four full-time staff, two half time and three library assistants here.
I've been here three years and in libraries for seven. My role includes going into the community to promote the library. I go to high schools and intermediates during term time and we also invite classes, youth groups and community groups into the library.
A lot haven't been in before.
I also run other smaller activities, including our monthly book club where teens discuss what they've been reading - and all sorts of things. We regularly get 30 to 40 teens turning up.
I spend a lot of time working with a wider Manukau Libraries youth librarian team planning events and activities to encourage youth into the library. We're currently running special events for Manix4, an annual teen reading challenge held throughout Manukau.

More at NZH.

Postscript:
The Bookman is full of admiration and salutes Amelia for the wonderful job she is doing.Thanks to the Herald too for running such a positive story. Bravo.
Librarians - you have to love 'em!