August’s installment of 7 Questions With…AAAL Members features Eva Revitt, Subject Librarian at MacEwan University. 

1. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
To speak Italian. I love the language, the culture, the art, the food, the history. In short, everything about Italy.

2. If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
I’m very fortunate in that I actually get to do this. I’m currently on a one year sabbatical leave.

One thing that has always irked me is how the library and the librarian are conflated in a way that a doctor and a hospital never is. The library is given agency and assumes the intellectual labour of the librarian. Our own professional discourse reinforces this; for example, overwhelmingly our associations are associations of libraries, rather than librarians. My research is about highlighting the work and professional experiences of the academic librarian. I’m focused on academic librarians because that is the world I know. Specifically, I’m interested in exploring how librarians’ academic status is shaped by the institution? In this case, the institution is the college or university but also the associated legislative and policy framework. Labour issues and documents such as collective agreements are big focus of my work.

3. What is your best piece of career advice?
Take measured risks.

4. What is your best piece of life advice?
Figure out your values and stick to them.

5. What is your proudest non-work related accomplishment?
A life time ago, on a tropical island far away, I became seriously involved in scuba diving. At one point in my life, I was one of a handful of certified female scuba divers in North America with a trimix mixed gas and underwater full cave certifications.

6. If you could live anywhere in the work, where would you go?
Italy, of course.

7. Who inspires you?
My boys. I have two, both are avid soccer players. One is very good and plays for a top team. The other is super average and plays for a super average team. My very good soccer player gives it 150%. Never gives up. My super average soccer player gives it 150%. Never gives up. They are my endless source of inspiration.

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.