Librarian says goodbye to Obs

After more than a decade of serving and feeding the minds of the Observatory community, head librarian, Nadia Ismail, will be leaving the Obs Library in Station Road.

Nadia has been promoted to Principal Librarian at Wynberg Library.

Obs resident, Rosemary Robins, said that Nadia started as a ※fledging§ assistant at Obs Library in the early 90's.

"She survived numerous obstacles including the threat to close the facility permanently. But through sheer tenacity the library became the thriving hub of activity it now is," Rosemary said.

Whilst studying through the University of South Africa (UNISA), Nadia established many partnerships with Mowbray Maternity Hospital, Spencer Road Clinic, Kiddies College and the Welcome Club at Valkenberg, to name a few.

During her tenure, Nadia established the "pram jamb", a story time session for toddlers and nannies, every Wednesday morning.

She also initiated a knitting group of ladies who knit "Beanies for Babies". To date more than 20 000 beanies have been donated to various organisations with 10 000 donated to Mowbray Maternity Hospital.

The Obs library staff has been nurtured and well trained by Nadia, said Rosemary, adding that while Nadia's departures is a great loss, all programmes and initiatives will continue at the library.

"Thanks to Nadia for her years of dedication," Rosemary said.