Background
Born and educated in Jamaica, Shernett was drawn to the library field because this was her very first paying job after leaving high school. Secondly, she had a passion, commitment, and strong interest in serving people, especially the less fortunate and the vulnerable in the community.
She built a successful career in the library at Jamaica Library Services, progressing from a Library Assistant in 1992 to graduating from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Art in Library and Information Studies in 1999, when she earned the title of Librarian. As a children’s librarian in the St. Catherine Parish Library Network, she taught children and parents to build early literacy skills through books and storytelling. From there, the scope of her responsibilities expanded as she took on the roles of Reference/Research Librarian and Rural Development Librarian. By 2004 she was promoted to Senior Librarian and later pursued an MA in Communications Studies at the University of the West Indies.
As a Senior Librarian, Shernett was assigned to work in many parishes throughout Jamacia. Working with the academic, public and rural communities allowed her to use her knowledge to help those who required services and support. That support also extended to prison libraries. Her level of experience and skills were sought after which is why she was invited to travel to England to participate in the Collections Development and book-buying process for Jamaica Library Service and the United States of America to participate in a cultural exchange which featured storytelling.
Shernett immigrated to Canada in 2009 but returned home and fully settled in the country in 2011 with the intention of using her academic qualifications and experience to continue her career as a librarian in Canada. As is the case for many educated and skilled immigrant professionals, Shernett had to work in other fields before being able to continue her career in the library field.
Start of Humber Journey
Shernett’s journey at Humber College started in 2014 as a part-time Library Technician while she worked as a full-time manager at Value Village.
She was responsible for supervising the library after hours and during weekends. Shernett also supervised work-study students and helped students and faculty with their research needs. Her journey to align her vast experience, education and skill set to a fitting role at Humber required her to demote herself in 2019 to the position of Library Clerk in order to obtain a full-time position. Two years later, Shernett was promoted from that role to her current position as a Library Technician in the Archives.
Making a Difference at Humber
Shernett will soon be celebrating 10 years of providing library services at Humber. Her work in the Archives allows the Humber community to search the archives for photographs, student publications, finding aids and oral history that serve as the institutional memory.
As the co-lead of the BAERG (Black African Employee Resource) for the past two years, she has fostered an environment of belonging, great camaraderie, and positive energy. The BAERG is a space for members to have easy and difficult conversations, share experiences, increase awareness, adapt new skills for personal and professional development, be their authentic selves and "shine bright like a diamond" to quote Rihanna.
Shernett has built lasting connections with members of the Humber community and BAERG members and continues to be driven and fulfilled by her positive impact on Humber students.
