THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
When Tracey Bird first arrived in Fort Smith a little more than 20 years ago, one of the first places she visited was Mary Kaeser Library. Now, she is the head librarian there.

Tracey Bird, head librarian at Mary Kaeser Library in Fort Smith, says libraries have been an important part of her life. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Bird said libraries have always been an important part of her life.

"Once I started working here, I realized this is my dream job," she said. "I couldn't have picked something better."

Bird said working with books and people can't be beat.

"I love working with the books," she said. "I love sharing my love of reading - to be able to turn kids on to reading, to be able to talk with people about books. It feeds my soul."

However, Bird admitted she never originally thought of being a librarian as a career.

"I actually kind of stumbled into being a librarian by accident," she said, explaining she worked for many years as a career development officer with the GNWT, until she decided to spend more time at home.

After running a day home, she was looking for some other way to supplement her family's income and still spend a significant amount of time with her children. It was then that the opportunity arose to work part-time as an assistant librarian. That was

a little more than seven years ago.

She officially became head librarian last November, although she was acting in the position for a while before that.

Bird explained her role includes the traditional things that a librarian does, such as checking in and out books, but she is also involved in creating programming that will reach all ages.

Like many other libraries of today, Mary Kaeser Library is much more than a place to go and read a book.

It also offers things such as movie nights and workshops on a variety of topics, such as financial matters, how to use a computer and how to navigate social media.

"We've kind of branched out and are doing more, and I guess taking a more broad approach to having information available to the community," Bird said,

adding the additional programming helps to make learning fun.

The library is currently working on two new events - wine tasting and sushi making.

"Of course, we want to get people in here and hopefully get people reading more. We always think that's valuable," Bird said. "But if people even just come in and do the events, we are here to help people keep learning, and also to add an element of entertainment during the long winters, an element of culture and just contribute to community well-being, which is why we try to target all age levels."

The 42-year-old, originally from B.C., has used her experience from a bachelor's degree in English - and the many hours spent in libraries reading and doing research - to help her with her job, which is funded by both the Town of Fort Smith and the GNWT.

"I'm definitely an avid reader," she said, adding she often spots interesting books in the library and wants to read them. "I used to read mostly fiction, until I started being a librarian, and now I read a lot of non-fiction, as well."

She said Mary Kaeser Library is guided in its work by a library board, which helps make sure it stays in touch with what the community wants.

Bird considers the library, which is now open seven days a week as of earlier this year, to be a centre for all sorts of learning.

"I feel like we're a hub for the community," she said. "I see most people from the community at one point or another. The kids come

here after school to hang out. I know most of them by name."

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