Pavlinka Kovatcheva, University of Johannesburg, S Africa

Pavlinka Kovatcheva, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Q: What led you into your chosen profession?

A: When I finished High School in 1980, I thought that I would like to be a kindergarden teacher or a choreographer of Bulgarian national dances. But as it happens I found a job as a librarian in a scientific technical library. At the beginning it was hard as I had no idea what should I do, which prompted me to apply the following year as a part time student at the Librarianship College in Sofia, Bulgaria. I finished my education in four years and by that time I already new that this was what I wanted to do as a profession. The first assumption about librarians is always that they love reading books and that is true, but I have always tried to project to people that a librarian profession can be fun and we can enjoy it while doing it. I wanted to be a different kind of librarian. After I moved to South Africa in 1992, I never imagined that I would be a librarian again, as my English at the beginning was non existent. Sometimes in life we need somebody to give us an opportunity and I have been lucky enough to have that chance. I was appointed as an Acquisitions librarian at the Technikon of Witwatersrand in 1997. Afterwards my own enthusiasm and the will to make something of myself in South Africa prompted me to study and finish a degree in Information Science, followed by an Honours degree. I'm planning to get started with my Masters degree soon. I have been a Science Librarian for the last two and a half years at the University of Johannesburg and enjoy every moment of it. The challenge of being a librarian in SA is bigger, as on a daily basis we deal with diverse clients, whose knowledge and access to electronic information is limited. Now after 22 years as a librarian, I still think that my purpose in life is to train and share knowledge and information with others and I'm learning and adapting to the new developments all the time.

Q: What book are you reading right now?

A: I'm just starting The Whole Brain Business Book by Ned Herrmann. This choice was prompted by a workshop I attended entitled Training with the brain in mind. This book can help me understand myself and my users better. Usually I read books from authors such as Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Dan Brown, Johanna Lindsey, Danielle Steel, etc.

Q: Who do you admire the most (past or present) and why?

A: I don't have a specific person in mind, but I have always admired people who really make a difference in the world.

Q: What was the first and last music record you bought?

A: I don't really remember the first, but I had a quite a collection of record plates from ABBA in the middle of 70s. The last CD I bought was the BackStreet Boys album.

Q: If you could have any career other than your chosen profession, what would you choose?

A: Probably in interior design or publishing. Anything within the communication industry also could have been a choice as I'm an outgoing person. Astronomy is my hobby, maybe I could have taken a step in that direction.

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, past or present, who would they be?

A: I would love to have Nelson Mandela, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Leonardo da Vinci. With such a diverse company dinner will be a remarkable experience.

Q: Money no option, where would you like to go on vacation?

A: I usually I go to Bulgaria especially Varna, on the Black Sea where I visit my family. I would like to travel to Egypt and Mexico; I'm fascinated by the ancient cultures. I would like to explore Italy and England to name two. I will choose any exotic island for extended vacation on the beach, with a lap top and Internet access of course. If it was possible I could have been a space traveler as I'm fascinated by the night sky and what is beyond.

To find out more about Pavlinka and her involvement in South African Library Week, view our latest issue of Librarian Insider