Benjamin Requiero
My name is Benjamin Reora Requiero and I work as a Library Technician for the ADMC Library. I arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2010 after coming off from a three-year stint at a private university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prior to that, I worked as a librarian in various private schools and universities for 5 years in the Philippines.
I am the youngest in the family of 6, with 2 brothers and 3
sisters. All but two, are also expats like me. My mom is a retired elementary
school teacher and my father used to work in a textile mill before he ventured
into the newspaper and store business. I was born and raised in the city of Marikina (Eng: beautiful; slang for marikit-na), one of the key cities in Metro Manila, about 23 km from the international airport. The valley city is the shoe capital of the Philippines and the current Guinness World Record holder for the largest pair of shoes. One can find the Shoe Museum that features collections from former First Lady Imelda Marcos. If you are into biking, this is the best and safest place, as we have the longest bike lanes in the entire country.
Physics and History were my favorite subjects in school, and
to be honest, I have no keen memory that I wanted to become a librarian when I
was small. I do remember though that folks in my neighborhood used to borrow
books from our home library and it felt good every time I find a book that
suited their research!
When I am not working, I try to cook meals for my family and
play video games with my son, and enjoying our new baby. My hobbies include
basketball, playing the guitar, swimming and chess. I collect watches and
athletic shoes and root for the Los Angeles Lakers.
I believe that for a student to be
successful, he should be equipped with the right critical skills. The library,
being the heart of the college, will certainly help students acquire critical skills
through reading. I encourage the use of the library and all its resources –
because ADMC is one of the best in the region and almost all the services are free!
Our library team will do our best to help and support you with your learning,
with a smile on our faces.
Shalina Nazar
"My name is Shalina Nazar. I am the Library Technician at Abu Dhabi Mens' College. I come from Kerala, God's own country. 
Kerala
has sprawling plantations and paddy fields, ayurvedic health holidays,
enchanting art forms, magical festivals, and historic and cultural
monuments. It is a wonderful tourist destination.I was born in Cheruthuruthy- a serene and scenic village. The striking attraction of Cheruthuruthy is the Kerala Kalamandalam, a university that teaches performance arts like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal Koothu, folk dances, Panchavadyam and drama. Another interesting place is the Shiva temple, which depicts an example of Kerala's traditional architecture.
My parents were teachers and we had a good collection of books at home. I started reading at an early age and as I grew up, it became a hobby.
I came to the U.A.E in 1994 and worked in various companies including ADNOC and ADMA-OPCO. I joined ADMC in November 2006. It was a new experience working with local students, especially when we have to deal with different library users, from students to community borrowers.
I am responsible for the acquisitions of library books. I also work as library liaison for the Business, Health Sciences, Comm Tech and Applied Media Departments. If you want to add any books to our collection, I will be happy to assist you.
During these years I have had many opportunities for professional growth and enjoy working in the library. I work with a great library team. For any queries regarding the library, please feel free to contact me." (Text, Shalina Nazar).
Suzanne Poulter, April 2013
"My name is Suzanne Poulter, I am the Associate Dean for Libraries, ILC and Special needs for ADMC and PACE Libraries. I was born in Sandringham, Victoria (Australia, not the UK!). I love Australia and all the natural beauty and unique fauna that it has to offer. I have seen a great deal of the country side as my Dad used to take my two brothers and I camping anywhere there was a river because he loves fishing.
As I had two brothers and was not interested in sports and boy’s games, I became an avid reader, I used to read wherever I went, even by the river when I was supposed to be fishing.
At school I was inspired by the librarian there and decided early on that I wanted to become a librarian. Over the years I considered other professions, but always came back to library work as I love organizing resources, technology and most of all, to help others in their quest to learn and develop.
To pursue this dream, I left home at 17 to do my Bachelor of Business (Information and Library Studies) and then followed this with a Master of Business (Information management, Information Technology), all the while working to support myself, in a retail shop, my Dad’s furniture business and public libraries, where my role changed as my skills and ambition developed, first as a library assistant, then as a library technician, a librarian and finally a department and branch head.
Once I had my Masters degree I moved to Higher Education Libraries, where I could focus on my favourite areas of technology, eLearning, and management. I enjoy challenging traditional library stereotypes and translating old style library services into the modern context. If you have any ideas about how the Library and its services can be improved, please drop by and see me, I am always looking for ways to improve. Outside of work I love to travel and learn from people from different cultures, which is why I moved to the UAE, where I could work in my chosen field and have the opportunity to see the world beyond Australia.
My message to students is work hard, follow your dreams, don’t worry if your friends don’t always have the same ideas as you, my friends thought I was mad becoming a librarian, but I love it! What matters most is how you see yourself, be a lion, take chances and enjoy your life!" (Text, Suzanne Poulter)
From Down Under to the Middle East, March 2013
"My name is Louise Sikkens and I am the new ILC Librarian at ADMC. I have spent the last seven years in the Middle East, but have just arrived in the United Arab Emirates.
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| http://www.discoveraustralia.com.au/images/port_arthur_tasman_nat_pk_t2.jpg |
I started my career as a primary teacher, working in schools throughout Australia. Fifteen years ago, I decided that I needed a new challenge and therefore I became a librarian! I completed a Masters in Teacher Librarianship through Charles Sturt University, Australia. I have been working as a full-time librarian for the past twelve years. This is my first experience as a college librarian.
I would like to thank the staff and students for their warm welcome to ADMC and am looking forward to working with them in the future." (Text, Louise Sikkens)
"I was born in Windhoek, Namibia
in 1973, but as my Dad worked for the railways, we moved towns quite often. I spent most of my childhood growing up in the Western Cape, near Cape Town in
South Africa. I did my Library and Information Science Degree at Stellenbosch
University, and my Honors Degree at the University of Cape Town.
Most people know of South Africa’s undeniable beauty, but as Namibia is less well-known, I will say a bit about this yet-to-be-discovered gem of a tourist destination! Namibia is a large country with a small population – so space is plentiful. Our most famous attraction is the Namib Desert – the oldest desert in the world. But while a lot of the countryside is arid, there are also wonderful farming areas and very green areas up north at the Okavango River. We are also famous for our gem quality diamonds, which are a big earner of foreign revenue. But tourism is growing, and very well-organized, and our game parks and nature reserves are packed with animals. I’d be glad to advise any prospective visitors!
I joined ADMC in January 2009. It seems lik yesterday. My most important job as Reference Librarian, is assisting library users with their information searches. However there are many other roles that I fill as well, from ordering material for the library (collection building), textbook co-ordination, providing Information Literacy classes, library marketing... just about anything else that needs to get done!
Most people know of South Africa’s undeniable beauty, but as Namibia is less well-known, I will say a bit about this yet-to-be-discovered gem of a tourist destination! Namibia is a large country with a small population – so space is plentiful. Our most famous attraction is the Namib Desert – the oldest desert in the world. But while a lot of the countryside is arid, there are also wonderful farming areas and very green areas up north at the Okavango River. We are also famous for our gem quality diamonds, which are a big earner of foreign revenue. But tourism is growing, and very well-organized, and our game parks and nature reserves are packed with animals. I’d be glad to advise any prospective visitors!
I joined ADMC in January 2009. It seems lik yesterday. My most important job as Reference Librarian, is assisting library users with their information searches. However there are many other roles that I fill as well, from ordering material for the library (collection building), textbook co-ordination, providing Information Literacy classes, library marketing... just about anything else that needs to get done!
If there was one message that I
would like to get across to the folks of ADMC, is that people should get away
from the notion that the Library is a book repository. We’re not about books,
we’re about information access, and about educating users on finding the
most relevant and credible information to match their needs. On a final note, if faculty want to see an improvement in the quality of the resources their students are using for assignments, an improvement in their bibliographies, and someone to hammer home the message of academic honesty, you should contact me or any of my colleagues to arrange for an Information Literacy session with your students. Have a great semester!" (Text and pictures, Stephen Visagie)
