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ola_tl_12.2 30 Ontario School Library Association Hetty Smeathers An interview by Karen Smulevitch to address those needs. They included the addition of new, contemporary novels to our collection with an emphasis on Canadian novels (of course, we gave ourselves a mandate to read as many of these new books as we could); the introduction of the Accelerated Reader program (it is now a compulsory component in all grade 9 & 10 English classes), and some aesthetic changes to our facility to attract both staff and students. I also seized any opportunity to collaborate with staff in both the planning and delivery of lessons (marking included!). After school workshops, reading challenges and contests, and lessons on the research process, presentation skills, and other technology related topics helped to increase our clientele. TL: What are the outstanding moments for you in your career? HS: So many moments come to mind; the vast majority of these have occurred during my tenure in the library. Numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth have been given to me in this chapter of my career. I am privileged to be part of a team of outstanding secondary teacher-librarians in our board who have been instrumental in nurturing me on my journey. I credit much of my growth and experience to their mentorship, sharing, and support over the years. It is because of this group of dynamic teachers that I became involved in presenting a number of times at Super Conference. As well, I was honoured to be a member of the writing team for Interdisciplinary Studies: Introduction to Information Studies and a contributor to the writing of the profile with a fabulous team from the Toronto District School Board. The instructor for Part II Librarianship was Tim Gauntley, and it was he who introduced us to a draft document, Information Studies K-12. The research process has been an integral part of my library curriculum ever since. As a member of the provincial selection TL interviews Hetty Smeathers, teacher-librarian at St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School - York Catholic District School Board. Hetty is an experienced, highly qualified teacher-librarian, innovator, curriculum writer, and presenter. TL: How did you get involved in school libraries? HS: My early years were spent in elementary school, teaching in the primary and junior areas. Following five memorable years at home with my family, I returned to teaching on a part-time basis, this time in the gifted program. Cut backs in the program meant another addition to my resume, this time as an ESL teacher. A pivotal moment came when I changed paths once again, this time heading towards secondary school to teach Special Ed and ESL. In 1996, when an extra section opened in our school library (remember those days?), I jumped at the chance. It was the best decision of my teaching career. TL: For how long have you been involved in school libraries and in what capacity? HS: I truly love my life in the school library, my favourite 'classroom'. I have called it home for the past seven years. When the previous department head left, I assumed the position with many reservations - how could I fill those shoes? I have been most fortunate to have on my team a library technician extraordinaire. Sharing a love of the printed word, we approach each day as a new adventure, filled with many unique challenges and learning opportunities. Some of these challenges have included a year of cutbacks when our positions were reduced to half time and my teaching assignments included Special Ed and teaching computers - as well as trying to maintain the status quo in the library. Traditionally, our school population has not been one that reads for pleasure and literacy test results and library circulation numbers were very low. Gradually, I undertook a number of initiatives the profileTL