Like many of Jasper鈥檚 residents, Holly Llewellyn showed up in town with only a backpack and the intent to stay for a few days.聽
That was more than two years ago.
鈥淚 was in Jasper on vacation, just travelling around by myself, but once I got here I fell in love,鈥� Llewellyn said.
Hoping to make Jasper home, Llewellyn started scrolling through a slew of job postings until she came across a technician position at the Jasper Municipal Library.
鈥淚 thought it was perfect because it combined my love of books and technology,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had went to college for a multimedia design and production technology program, but I didn鈥檛 have any library experience. I never thought I鈥檇 get hired.鈥�
A few day鈥檚 later, Llewellyn received word from Angie Thom, the director of library services. The job was hers.
鈥淚 felt really lucky because they actually took a chance on me,鈥� Llewellyn said. 鈥淭hat probably wouldn鈥檛 happen anywhere else.鈥�
In the months that followed, working at the library became more than just a means to stay in Jasper. It became Llewellyn鈥檚 passion.
鈥淢ost of my life I鈥檝e just been winging it, not really knowing what I鈥檓 doing鈥攋ust going by the seat of my pants, but everything about the library just felt right,鈥� she said.
Through the library Llewellyn started taking various training courses, increasing her skills and responsibilities at work, which included a whole lot of cataloguing and organizing a weekly game night.
鈥淎ngie kept letting me do more and more. It was awesome that they saw my potential,鈥� Llewellyn said.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, things were going well for the 25-year-old as she settled into adulthood. However, that comfort bubble popped a few weeks ago when Llewellyn was reminded that the lease on her apartment was almost up and her housing options were limited.
Rather than become overwhelmed, Llewellyn saw her predicament as a new opportunity. She applied to the Library and Information Technician program at Algonquin College in Ottawa. The program would allow her to expand on both technical and public services within the library world, teaching Llewellyn everything from cataloging and processing new material to teaching clients how to use electronic and print resources. 聽
鈥淢y lease was up and I was like 鈥榶ou know what, this is what I want to do鈥� so I thought maybe I should be taking the next step in my life by actually going to school for this,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to help get us into this beautiful new building (the Jasper Library and Cultural Centre) and we鈥檙e all finally starting to get comfortable there, but that鈥檚 the thing鈥擨鈥檝e become so comfortable that I think it鈥檚 time that I try something new.鈥� 聽
Within a week she got the news. Llewellyn鈥檚 application was accepted.
鈥淲hen I got into school my mom told me that she was really proud of me because I finally figured out what I wanted to do,鈥� Llewellyn said. 鈥淚 was a lost soul for a bit, but after working here for a few years I just know that this is what I want to with my life.
鈥淚 feel so lucky that I got to work with such great people that inspired and helped me.鈥�
Llewellyn leaves for school in June, where she鈥檒l remain for the next two years. Whether she鈥檒l come back to Jasper with her new skills is still undecided.
鈥淚 will miss this community for sure, but I really think this a step in the right direction as far as my long-term goals,鈥� she said. 鈥淟ife is always fluid so it鈥檚 hard to say what will happen in two years.鈥�
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
