Catherine Gillis
Northern News Services

Yellowknife ( Mar 03/00) - Being a team player is one of the most important parts of Janet Diveky's job.

Since training at the University of Cape Town in 1960, Diveky has worked as a librarian in places such as South Africa, England, and southern Canada.

Diveky now works as the head librarian at Weledeh Catholic school.

"The role of the school librarian is not only to stock shelves and read stories to the children, the librarian must work closely with the teaching staff and have good relations with the principal and secretary. The librarian is responsible for a big chunk of the budget," Diveky says, adding that keeping track of what to buy and record-keeping are also a big part of her job.

"It's also very important for the librarian to create a pleasant and calm atmosphere."

Diveky, 58, who worked as a teacher for 20 years and as a librarian for 12 years in both public universities and technical libraries, says she finds school libraries to be the most fun because she has a chance to use her teacher training and experience.

She says she loves her job because it brings together the two things she loves best -- children and books.

"I get excited when I see children fight over a book. It's great to turn kids on to books."

She says one of her main goals is to encourage literacy and provide resources to support learning.

"The librarian must have a good understanding of the NWT curriculum, that way she knows what to purchase when she is buying literature for the school."

Diveky says it's her job to also know what children enjoy reading and what different types of activities they like to participate in.

"It is the librarian's responsibility to build a good collection of print and non-print material, and to make them available to patrents, for instance.

"Our library here at Weledeh has a great collection of children's books, and teacher resource materials. I display new acquisitions in the staff room each week, then I ask teachers to let me know when they will be starting a new unit -- that way I can prepare new material for them."

Diveky also finds keeping in touch with other schools and community librarians is important for exchanging ideas and resources.

She notes one of the most exciting events to come will be moving into their new school later this year.

"The architects have been very careful about getting input from us (the staff and students), so I am confident that the library will be a place that our clientele will find very comfortable and conducive to learning."

Due to the construction zone students are experiencing, Diveky says playground space has become limited.

"The staff are keeping the children busy with many lunch time activities," she says.

"One of the most successful clubs is the library club. This year the library club has taken the responsibility of finding funding for the school's foster child in Colombia. So far this year the library club has had a bake sale, a penny drive, and a family dance -- all were successful in raising money for the foster child.

"We are very proud of reaching our goal," Janet says.

"In our school we are all a part of a team."