13 Questions With: Tori Murray

May 8, 2019

Library Technician, Ottawa Catholic School Board

Who inspires you in your career?

Lots of people, including my good friend Emily. I am also inspired by the people I work with and the students at my school.

The first job you ever held and at what age and your first position in the library and/or information services field?

I did some babysitting when I was 12ish, but my first real job with a paycheque was also my first position in a library. I worked during lunch in my school library doing circ and shelving and got paid for it! I was 17 and doing my A-Levels.

Why a career in librarianship?

Yes, I will say it, I love reading. But it’s more than books that made me want to work in libraries. I have always loved going to the library. It was a place to discover a world outside of my small town. I considered going to university at 18 to study Library Studies in England, but life took me in a different direction. When I had my first child, we regularly visited our local library and I was reminded me of the joy that libraries brought to my life. It wasn’t until I moved to Canada that I had an opportunity to go back to college and take the LIT program. To me, the library feels like home.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

That’s a hard question to answer. My “office” is the circ desk and I have lots of cool things on it from my Lego Minifigure collection to my Elephant and Piggie stuffies.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Frazzles (English bacon flavoured crisps).

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Communication. Talk to everyone and make connections.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I can touch my nose with my tongue.

Proudest moment in your professional life?

Speaking at the Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference to a room full of fellow Library Technicians about working in a School Library.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it

Cliched I know, but having copious amounts of tea whilst reading!

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

I honestly don’t know. I’ve had a few jobs over the years, but I haven’t ever felt like I was enjoying my job until I became a School Library Technician.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

…talk to everyone.

How do you stay current in your field?

I follow lots of people on Twitter, groups on Facebook, read blogs, talk to colleagues.

What would you like your headstone to read?

I hope they have tea in heaven.