Children’s librarian Sara Kujanpää has a knack for timing
Sara Kujanpää works as a librarian responsible for children’s library services. Her duties include leading group visits for primary school pupils and children in early childhood education and care, as well as putting together themed book bags for daycare centres.
Since the beginning of this year, Kujanpää has also been part of the team selecting materials acquired by Tampere City Library. She selects children’s non-fiction, picture books and fiction. The selection work complements her other duties well.
Ten years ago, daily life looked very different. Kujanpää had just qualified as a sign language interpreter.
– I became interested in signing and finger spelling as a child. After upper secondary school, I took a basic course in sign language. I’ve always been fairly average at studying spoken languages, but signs felt logical and I picked them up quite easily. That’s why I decided to apply to study the field at a university of applied sciences.
Her studies strengthened that feeling. In sign language interpreting, Kujanpää was inspired by the chance to improve accessibility and equality.
She found work straight after graduating. Kela’s interpreting centre assigned interpreters to different jobs, and there was plenty of work. In the morning, Kujanpää might be interpreting at a bank, at midday at a doctor’s appointment, and in the afternoon at a swimming pool.
– It was fast-paced work. I liked the job, but at the same time I was very nervous. At times, it was mentally demanding.
Studying during her baby’s first year paid off
At the beginning of 2020, her calendar was full of interpreting assignments for months ahead. Then the coronavirus pandemic wiped them all out. Kujanpää had mainly been interpreting for people with deafblindness, and that work is usually done hand in hand.
She had to find a new direction. There were only a couple of weeks left in the spring joint application period, and Kujanpää began weighing up her options. She decided to study library and information services. At the same time, she was expecting her second child.
Would studying work during pregnancy and during her baby’s first year? She considered it carefully, but decided to start her studies anyway. In the end, it paid off. The baby happened to sleep well, so she had enough energy for studying.
– There was a bit of juggling, but everything went quite well. I was lucky that remote study became the norm at that point. In that situation, I couldn’t have committed to in-person studies in another town. A lot of my interpreter qualification was recognised towards the new degree, which sped up my studies.
Continuing her studies while caring for a baby was one important turning point in her career. She graduated at exactly the time when appealing jobs became available.
Starting her studies at just the right time
Timing had worked in her favour before as well. Kujanpää finished upper secondary school in 2010. She could have started interpreter studies the following year, but decided to defer for a year because she wanted to complete military service.
At that time, her home town of Kauhava still had an Air Force Academy, and military life was part of the everyday street scene.
– It was a clear path for me. I wanted the experiences and lessons that military service can give you. It was a rewarding year. Physically, I wasn’t always the strongest, but mentally I grew a great deal: I realised that you can cope with and endure much more when you make up your mind to do so.
During her interpreter studies, Kujanpää felt the group spirit in her year was especially strong. Her fellow students became close friends, and she became a godparent to the children of two of her course mates.
– If I had started a year earlier, I would have been in a different group. I’m sure I would have made friends there too, but it feels as if this timing was right as well.
Children’s enthusiasm is contagious
Her first library job began in autumn 2022, when Kujanpää came to Koilliskeskus Library for a traineeship linked to her studies. After that, a fixed-term post as a librarian for children and young people became available in Lielahti, and Kujanpää was selected for the role. Alongside her work, she completed her studies.
“The best thing about the job is being there for young children.”
When that six-month fixed-term post ended, Koilliskeskus Library advertised a post as an information service secretary. Kujanpää worked in that role for a year before moving into her current position.
– I’ve been incredibly lucky. The timing of my traineeship and graduation matched the jobs that became available. During my studies, I also happened to specialise in library work with children and young people. When I was interviewed for my current job, I thought: now all the pieces are in place. Everything I had done earlier had led me to this point. It felt as if I had made the right choices.
The best thing about the job is being there for young children.
– Their joy and enthusiasm are wonderful. Children often come and tell me about a book they have read, and sometimes that leads to really good conversations. I hope children feel there are safe, approachable adults here they can talk to.
Her salary at the library is lower than it was in her work as an interpreter. Even so, Kujanpää would not go back.
– I’m very happy with my life and my work. I’m responsible for a suitable range of tasks, and there is enough time for everything. When you choose your field, it needs to be something you genuinely enjoy. If you’re lucky, you find work that brings two interests together. For example, I sometimes get to use sign language in customer service or during story times.
Sara Kujanpää
- children’s librarian at Koilliskeskus Library, Tampere City Library
- 34 years old
- favourite places in Tampere: the outdoor routes in Atala–Lamminrahka and the shore of Lake Halimasjärvi
- enjoys reading, exercising at home, shooting hoops and doing crafts, and follows Manse PP’s matches
- Wow! At home, she relaxes by jamming with the music turned up loud.
