July’s installment of 7 Questions With…AAAL Members features Kim Frail, Public Services Librarian at H.T. Coutts Education & Physical Education Library, University of Alberta Libraries

1. What is something interesting you learned in the last month?
That there was a shanty town called Ross Acreage in the Mill Creek Ravine which was shut down by the city and turned into park land in the late 1920s. I live relatively close to that area so I found that little tidbit of local history interesting.

2. What are some of your favourite podcasts?
I live for podcasts! My most recent discovery, thanks to the NEOS miniconference, is “Let’s Find Out” with Chris Chang-Yen Phillips, Edmonton’s Historian Laureate. He answers listeners’ questions about local history. Other favorites include: Radio Lab, 99% invisible, Canadaland and The Press Gallery: Edmonton Journal’s Political Podcast.

3. What is your proudest work-related accomplishment?
Co-charing the WILU conference in May. We had a “dream team” steering committee and somehow we managed to plan and host a conference for 162 attendees from across Canada and the US in a little under a year! Special shout-out to all of the AAAL members who contributed as reviewers, convenors and presenters. We couldn’t have done it without you!

4. What do you do when you’re not working?
Take my kids to their various activities. I’m a Brownie Leader for my daughter’s unit so I’m also known as “Mountain Owl”.

5. What is your favourite colour?
Green

6. If you could live anywhere in the work, where would you go?
I love Edmonton but as a former Maritimer, living near the ocean would be nice.

7. Who inspires you?
I heard a fascinating piece on CBC the other day about Irish director/writer Simon Fitzmaurice. He recently directed a feature film despite being paralyzed and unable to speak due to ALS. Google it – it’s an amazing story.