STOUGHTON - Tanya Dubois has always enjoyed reading. She often has an audio book on while driving or doing household chores.
“It allows me to escape into a fantasy work through reading,” said Dubois.
When the Stoughton librarian position became available, Dubois applied and was successful in getting the job.
On May 9, training began for the new librarian and will continue on a regular basis.
Shauna Daku, the assistant librarian from Arcola, has 20 years of experience and she will train and help Dubois learn the ropes.
Dubois is formerly from Quebec where she was born and raised. Her mom ran a daycare there which Dubois enjoyed as she loves children.
Wanting more out of life and greater opportunities as she lived in a small town, she decided to move to Saskatchewan. Dubois packed up her belongings and took her daughters Jessica and Kelly to the Land of the Living Skies for a better life. Jessica will get her teachers’ degree in December and Kelly is a nurse, which their mom is very proud of.
Dubois has a degree from Quebec in computer information systems. She said it is similar to a bachelor's degree. She is also a green belt in judo. She was active in sports like rugby and roller derbies.
She lives northeast of Stoughton on a farm with her spouse Dwight Shiels. He also has a daughter named Bethany.
They run Big D Bison, having 55 cows, three bulls, 10 feeders for meat and 30 calves so far. She is very passionate about their herd of bison and loves to show them to people.
Learning new things is always something Dubois is doing. In 2019 she entered into the a Toastmasters public speaking event in Weyburn and placed first with her humorous speech.
With working 20 hours a week, and only a short drive to work, she said, “I have the opportunity to have a better quality of life and more time at home.”
Over the past years, she has lost two close friends and she feels it is important to spend time with family and friends.
A welcome tea was held at the Stoughton Public Library on May 16 for people to come and meet Dubois. Many people came out to enjoy tea and dainties.
Dubois looks forward to her years at the library and meeting the children and families. Once settled into her routine she will have programs and activities planned for the future.
