In this ‘Library Stories’ we speak with Melissa Whitrow from the Barossa Council Public Library. Like many of the people we’ve talked to in this feature, Melissa entered the LIS sector equipped with a strong set of skills honed in a previous career – in her case as an academic in public health research. We asked Melissa about her current role, how her research background intersects with her work in library management, and why children’s literacy has become a key focus of her work.  

Hi Melissa. Thanks for speaking with us. Could you start by telling us a bit about your current role?

I am currently the Manager, Library Services at The Barossa Council Public Library. We provide library services to a population of around 25,000 people in the beautiful Barossa Valley across four physical library branches. This includes collection services, child and adult programs, history and heritage services, and a small (but developing) range of outreach services. I manage a team of 20 staff who work in library customer service and specialise in one or more of our service delivery areas.

You have a very interesting background having previously worked in epidemiology and rural health before moving into the library sector. Can you tell us about the ways in which your research background and experience intersect with your role as a library manager and your work in libraries more generally? 

My first career was as an academic in public health research. Armed with a Bachelor of Science and PhD in Epidemiology (both through the University of Adelaide) I ventured to the UK to work as a Career Development Fellow with the Medical Research Council in Glasgow. This was my initiation into the social determinants of health, and the role early life exposures have on health and wellbeing throughout life. Upon my return to Australia I worked as a Research Fellow with the University of Adelaide for just over a decade. This position coincided with a tumultuous personal time for me; with 2 periods of maternity leave and 2 years away from the workforce when my 7 year old daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia. With great challenges comes reflection and change.  Once she was well and had returned to school I had the nagging feeling that I could be doing more than researching social determinants, and that grass roots interventions in my own regional community was where I could truly make a difference. I spoke to a career coach in 2019 and identified that working in a public library was the perfect conduit for turning my passion and skills into positive community outcomes.

Now I am embedded in the public library sector I can see significant transferable skills and overlap between my research career and current role. Academic research taught me to look for best practice, measure and demonstrate success, be strategic, embrace change, and think about the bigger picture and purpose of the work and projects we are doing. Both careers have also developed and utilised my skills in critical thinking, innovation, perseverance (this is a big one!), organisation, communication and advocacy. I was also fortunate to have amazing female role models and mentors in my research career who inspired me to be an empathetic and generous leader to my team today.

I also understand that upon moving into the LIS sector you completed your library qualification. Could you tell our readers a little bit about why you wanted to do this and how is has helped you in your career? 

My career change was a big decision, but once I had made it I wanted to be ‘all in’ so I would know that if it didn’t work out it wasn’t because I hadn’t put the effort in. My academic background meant I immediately looked to tertiary study as the best way to learn about contemporary library services and how to deliver them. I enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Information Management (Library and Information Management) at UniSA and completed the first 6 months full time before converting to part time when I secured an entry level role in the sector. The Grad Dip gave me an amazing overview of what working in a contemporary, innovative, inclusive library meant, the impact libraries have,  and the more practical aspects of library work. The guest lecturers provided brilliant examples of the many ways I could work in the sector. I remember a public library manager delivering one of our lectures, and being captivated by the impact she was having on the health and wellbeing of the community. That was a real ‘ah ha’ moment that confirmed this is what I wanted to do. I was also fortunate to be awarded the 2021 ALIA Prize when I graduated, which introduced me to ALIA with a 12 month membership and funding towards one of the interesting ALIA short courses.

You’ve recently started some work with Raising Literacy Australia. Could you tell us about this organisation and the work they do, what your involvement has been thus far, and why children’s literacy has become a key focus for you? 

My research background means I have a strong understanding of the importance of early life experiences and children (and their families) having access to the support, connections and education they need to thrive. I had also seen the benefit of early literacy and developing a love of reading with my own children – both are avid readers, so much so that my daughter’s Make A Wish was for an every lasting supply of books. So, for me it was an easy decision to engage with Raising Literacy Australia. The organisation works with the community to improve literacy levels in children from a very young age, their programs (such as Words Grow Minds) help families engage and read with their children as early as possible to foster their ability to reach their full potential.

I am currently working with Reading Literacy Australia and the Light Regional Public Library to design an early year’s intervention project. The project plans to deliver books into the households in our regions who have young children, and then use those book deliveries as a conduit for connecting families to each other, to local services (like public library programs!) and information about child development.  Public libraries will be at the centre of this project by providing a safe, free space for families to meet, take part in early literacy programs, and connect with allied health service providers in the region for information about child development.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about changing sectors? 

To back yourself, your abilities (and how transferable your skills are) and take a chance on a career that will make your heart happy. This doesn't mean leaping into change without thinking through the options, but the 'perfect time' to make a change or try something new doesn't exist, at some point you need to be brave, go for it and embrace any opportunities that come your way.

Finally, what is one thing you’ve read or watched this year that you would recommend to our readers? 

Read – The Girl with the Violin, Shelley Davidow. Watched – Nobody Wants This on Netflix.