Karthi Rajamani is not someone anyone can say is afraid to step outside of her comfort zone.
AS CEO of the Pembroke Public Library since 2016 and a recent recipient of a prestigious award presented to her by Pembroke Mayor Gervais, Rajamani has proven over the years that perseverance and hard work are but two of the qualities that have guided her life thus far.
Rajamani and her family first came to Canada in 1996 on something of a fact finding mission when they were looking at the possibility of her husband working for CNL (Then AECL) as he had been a nuclear physicist in India. They settled in Toronto where he worked for the Mississauga facility and five years later they found themselves in Deep River when he was given the opportunity to work at the Chalk River location.
Karthi was a teacher in India and was drawn to the research library at her school early on during her years an educator. Possessing no fewer than three Masters degrees and four Bachelors degrees, Rajamani had a curiosity about her that would not allow her to rest on any laurels she may have had at that stage of her life. She somehow knew that the library was going to be her future well before arriving on Canadian soil and so it was when her family settled in The Valley.
Rajamani shared some early thoughts about her library career dating back to her first exposure to a public run library such as here in Pembroke:
Audio PlayerShe clearly recalled the interviewer having concern that she was over qualified for the position of Librarian first at the Petawawa library where she applied for a job. Karthi’s answer spoke volumes about who she was then and still is today:
Audio PlayerRajamani spoke candidly about the fact that the Caste system is still very much a prevalent force in Indian society and continues to dictate one’s future, or lack thereof if one is from a lower Caste. She also discussed her arranged marriage as another highly common Indian practice; a topic about when she spoke to The Pembroke Observer at one point in an article run by the paper. These practices are a long way from our Canadian shores, yet Rajamani managed to make a very smooth transition from one distinct culture to another with what seems like relative ease.
As the most recent recipient of the W J. Robertson Medallion for Public Librarian of The Year Award, Rajamani is the first woman of colour to receive the award granted by the Library Board of Ontario. When asked about what advice she would have for others who follow in her footsteps, she offered this advice as to what it takes:
Audio PlayerRajamani ended the conversation by acknowledging her family and her peers as being the reason she is as successful as she is today.
(Written By: Richard Evans)