Our staff are our pride and joy! They keep this place running smoothly; making sure our community has the materials they need while offering original programming and library services for our treasured patrons. We’re excited to share more about the amazing staff who work at Wood Buffalo Regional Library in our blog feature: Staff Spotlight!
One of our Library Services staff, our resident MMA sage, formally known as “the guy with the high-top” and voted “most likely to have a high-end cologne collection”, Ahmed, sat down with us for our next staff spotlight interview.
WBRL: What is your role at our library and how long have you been working here?
Ahmed: I am in the Library Services Associate role and generally we support the day-to-day patron services of the library by creating memberships, answering questions at the desk, and helping our patrons find materials. My specific role also involves assisting patrons with information and technology needs, helping them navigate library resources and services, and through this I contribute to our welcoming and accessible environment.
I have been working at the library for 15 years. I started as a full-time temporary Library Assistant, covering a maternity leave. While in that position I helped to build the Homebound service we have. Afterwards I moved to Collections/Billing for a long while where I followed up with patrons on accounts with excessive fines.
WBRL: What is your educational or professional background?
Ahmed: My educational background is a bit of a mix. I started out studying business, completing my first year, and later pursued 4th Class Power Engineering. I wasn't able to complete my engineering path due to family circumstances; however, I feel like it was meant to be as libraries and patron services is my natural calling.
WBRL: What is a library project that you are working on that excites you?
Ahmed: In addition to being involved with the library renovation, I’m also excited to be working on our Welcome Week for Newcomers project. I’m planning a library tour in partnership with The Hub to help newcomers become familiar with our space, services, and resources, while also providing them with helpful information about language-learning programs, community resources, and relevant literature.
I’m also planning to create a Global Book Display showcasing some of the reading materials we have available in different languages. I’m hoping the display will help newcomers see the library as a welcoming and inclusive space where they can find resources that reflect their languages, cultures, and interests.
WBRL: Describe a library memory or moment that has brought you joy. It doesn’t have to be from WBRL, it can be from when you were a patron at another library!
Ahmed: There are so many library moments that come to mind. I’ve had patrons come back to thank me for helping them print a résumé, only to tell me that they got the job. I’ve also had young patrons light up simply because I gave them a few stickers. I’ve also had patrons go on vacation and write post cards to me or bring me back small gifts from the countries they visited. These moments may seem small, but they remind me how much of an impact the library can have on someone’s day. Whether it is a senior conquering their technology, an adult seizing an opportunity, or a child falling in love with a book, patron satisfaction is important to me.
What I love most about libraries is that they have a way of making almost anyone’s day a little better, whether you’re a patron or a staff member.
WBRL: Do you have any talents that don’t get a chance to shine at the library?
Ahmed: Every talent I have, I get to use here! I would say my biggest talent is my ability to connect with people and build positive relationships. I’m naturally quite shy (I know, hard to believe!), but something changes when I’m in a customer service setting. I feel confident, comfortable, and genuinely enjoy connecting with people.
I would like to learn a musical instrument, so maybe that talent will come soon!
WBRL: Is there a random subject that you are so knowledgeable about that you could write a whole book on it?
Ahmed: Mixed Martial Arts. I am not someone who would want to participate in the sport as I am a non-violent person but have so much respect for the athletes that push themselves to compete in a sport that requires so much discipline, and I am super passionate about it.
WBRL: You’ve even been to some live events, right?
Ahmed: Yeah, I have gone to a few over the years. I even once had an unbelievable chance to meet Kabib, my favourite fighter of all time.
WBRL: Oh wow that must have been an experience! What is your current or last read?
Ahmed: The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant. It is about his life, but more so his mission to be #1 in everything he attempted in his life. That mentality helps you look at your own goals differently. It was a great recommendation from fellow WBRL staff member Calvin Pitt.
WBRL: What is your favourite genre to read or watch?
Ahmed: I like reading biographies. I am not a super adventurous reader but learning about athletes, historical figures, musicians, and all their philosophies keeps me interested. For watching, I like comedy and cartoons.
WBRL: What was your favourite movie or book when you were a child?
Ahmed: For films, it was an easy pick of The Lion King. For books I liked Captain Underpants, Arthur, and the Berenstain Bears series—all classics!
WBRL: Name a book or film that you wish you could experience for the first time again.
Ahmed: The Last Dance, it was a great documentary series about Michael Jordan and you see how serious he takes his craft in it. I must have watched it at least 13 times.
Keep an eye on our blog to read more Staff Spotlight interviews!
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