I started my library career by bringing a drill to a children’s library. I was a volunteer at the time and had heard that some pictures “couldn’t be hung on the wall,” as the handyman had said. The issue was quickly resolved.

The following year, I was contacted by the same library and asked: “Have you finished your studies yet, and would you like to come work with us?” I still hadn’t finished my degree, I had slightly stretched out that final year, but I decided to step into the fairytale world of the city library in Belgrade.

After nine years working across various departments, I set off into academic waters. At the University Library in Belgrade, I did a bit of everything—from cultural programs to renovating the façade. At the same time, at the Department of Library and Information Science, I entertained students with anecdotes from library management and PR, and under the auspices of the Library Association of Serbia, I ran strictly hands-on workshops.

My international adventure began in 2008 with my first trip to the famous IFLA conference and there was no turning back. That was followed by the IFLA/OCLC Fellowship, various conferences, the IFLA Leaders programme, and other adventures that confirmed for me that people are at the heart of everything, and that networking is a beautiful and powerful natural phenomenon.

Since 2018, I have been living in the Netherlands and working at IFLA, where, as Community Building Manager, I balance strategic projects, communications, membership, sections, and workplace development. I like to say that I don’t build communities, communities build themselves through the magic of thousands upon thousands of librarians, and I’m there to listen, take notes, connect people, and invent new ways to make it all even more meaningful.

I like Gary Larson, Monty Python, and Keith Haring, cool earrings, colorful sneakers… and apparently, DIY repairs.