Lifelong librarian turns a page
I was always passionate about reading and wanted to work with books.
Toti library bid a fond farewell to one of its longest-serving staff members at a special function on Saturday, 22 November.
Librarian, Nerina Singh officially retires on Friday, 28 November after 10 years at Toti library, and 24 years at various eThekwini libraries.
“I had time on my hands after raising two children, so I decided to work,” she said. “At first I taught at a pre-school. This was my inspiration to work with people both young and not so young.
I was always passionate about reading and wanted to work with books.
I started at Havenside library in Chatswoth as a temporary library assistant. Over the years I worked at a numbers of libraries, including Moorton, Woodhurst, Croftdene and Havenside.”
Nerina moved to Toti from Chatsworth in 2003, but last year relocated to the Bluff.
“The years that I spent in different libraries, meeting new colleagues with different mindsets, systems and methodologies came with its own set of challenges. However, with the challenges came personal achievements, the libraries’ achievements and job satisfaction.
If I had to do this all over again, it would be with great delight.
I will miss the people and patrons the most.
The future that I’m looking forward to, where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing is relatively unplanned. My husband and I will put together a schedule that we want to do on a daily basis. Most of all I want to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets, and walk on the beach, as the best things in life are free.
I also want to look after myself and spend time with my grandchildren in Johannesburg.”
