Yellowknife (July 24/06) - Being a librarian means much more than shushing someone who's talking too loudly. Just ask Christine Gyapay.

She has been the head librarian at NWT Centennial Library in Hay River for about three years and worked her way up through several junior positions before that.

Gyapay says her work involves many different things, but is primarily about dealing with people.

"Being able to connect the public with what they're looking for is a large part of it," she says.

The Hay River library offers much more than just books. There's also access to computers, programming for everyone from children to seniors, crafts, social events for seniors, English as a second language programs, school visits, a parents and tots program, coffee houses, art shows and visits by authors.

"The sky's the limit, depending on what the staff is interested in and what we think the public is interested in," Gyapay says.

For all its programs and services, the Hay River library had an impressive 23,766 visitors in 2005.

"We count everybody who comes in," Gyapay says.

When deciding on services to offer, a librarian has to take into account a wide range of ages and backgrounds, she explains.

"You have to have a little bit for everyone."

Gyapay is assisted at the library by six part-time staff members.

Gyapay also has tasks to handle that come to mind a little quicker when you think of a librarian.

She helps look after the collection of about 10,000 books - repairing and cleaning them as needed.

She also ensures they are put in their proper places on the shelves once returned by the public.

That includes a "shelf read" once a month.

It means examining every inch of shelf space to ensure every book is in its proper place according to the Dewey decimal system.

"Otherwise, if a book is not where it's supposed to be, I can't find it for you," Gyapay says.

A shelf read is one of the more tedious parts of a librarian's work, she says.

"But it's very necessary," she says. "If a book is not where it's supposed to be, it's lost to us."

Gyapay says many people may take a book out of the shelves when they are browsing and return it to the wrong place, especially in the children's section.

"You can tell an area where someone has been."