Meet Your Local Librarian: Marion Scott

Now that we are full swing into fall with its glorious colours and early nights we are also well into an exciting new season of Swallowing Clouds, our literacy and dance based creative arts program. In October we returned to Palmerston Library for a successful session with new and returning participants, and for the first time we are currently in residence at Barbara Frum Library. Since we always get to know the kids so well, recently we were curious about the librarians that are instrumental in making our program happen and wanted to get to know a little more about them. For our first blog in this series we asked Marion Scott, Childrens Services Specialist at the Pape-Danforth Branch, where we  have visited several times, to answer a few questions.

Where are you from? 

I grew up in a small town in Muskoka (Huntsville), but have now lived in Toronto for over 30 years.

What led you to become a librarian? 

I’ve always loved books and reading, and most jobs I did after leaving high school had something to do with books: working in a bookstore, working for a publisher. In the end, I decided a library was the environment that I would most enjoy, so I went back to universitity to become a librarian. I ended up in a public library, because I wanted to do children’s work, and because I liked how the public library work involved making connections with its community.

What is your favourite thing about being a librarian? 

My favourite thing? Is probably doing book and rhyme times with Toddlers and Babies and their caregivers. I love the language of the rhymes, and there are now so many wonderful books for young children. But most important, is the opportunity to be with the children. I love to see them engage with words and rythmn, and with their caregiver as we play lap games, and sing songs.

What is your favourite book? 

My favourite book from when I was a child, would probably be Anne of Green Gables. I loved the character of Anne, and the PEI setting. I read every book in the series, probably three times.

I’m not sure I have a favourite book right now. Margaret Drabble’s The Radiant Way is one I reread every now and then. I love the theme of friendship, and the political background to the story.

Why do you think the Swallowing Clouds program is important? 

The Swallowing Clouds program is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore their creativity, and to express them selves with movement and poetry. And it’s free!  Which means children whose families may not be able to afford lessons of this type have a chance to participate.

How have responses to the program been? 

We have had the program here three times, and the children have always been completely engaged and had fun. Comments from parents have been very positive. And I am always blown away by the mini performance that they children do for family and friends at the end of the session.

Keep on the look out for upcoming Swallowing Clouds programs during March Break!