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Library De-Stress

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SAIT Polytechnic’s Student Association (SAITSA) puts a major emphasis on student well-being and mental health. SAITSA identifies critical times wherein students tend to experience stress and mental health issues and provides services and activities accordingly. For example, from October 6th -9th, SAITSA Mental Health Awareness Week included stand-up comedy, pet therapy, “Speed Friending”, information booths, massages, Zumba and Yoga. The Awareness Week coincided with Depression Screening Day, which was offered through Student Development and Counselling and the Calgary Counselling Centre, and SAITSA’s Mental Health Awareness Week was one way to encourage students to participate in the screening and access resources if needed. Most recently, SAITA’s De-Stress Fest (December 1st – December 5th) was a week filled with activities designed to reduce the stress of studying students, and proved to be an excellent opportunity to partner with the Reg Erhardt Library at SAIT. Continue reading Library De-Stress →

7 Questions With… Dan Mirau

7 Questions

Introducing 7 Questions With… AAAL Members, a fun way to get to know academic library staff in Alberta. Each month we’ll post a new featured member’s responses to 7 random questions.

Dan Mirau is Library Director and Director of Student Learning Enhancement Projects at Concordia University College of Alberta

IMG_54066115276918_11. When was the last time you were nervous? When I had to provide the welcoming remarks at Netspeed 2014. Well, that was the last time I was REALLY nervous.

2. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best? When I was 13 my dad and I were searching for ammonite fossils down the South Saskatchewan River when the boat’s engine completely died. It was blistering hot and we were a five hour hike downstream and only wearing shorts and flip flops. I still remember the return hike, winding around inlets and swimming across streams, joking with each other along the way to keep our spirits up. We made it to a campsite well after dark and well burned. He still tells the story. What looked like a bad situation has become one of our best shared memories.

3. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? I just finished Moby Dick so I’d say Starbuck. Or Queequeg minus the cannibalism.

4. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? How to speak Croatian.

5. What is your favourite quote? I found this one recently and like it a lot: “Nothing is ever the same as they said it was. It’s what I’ve never seen before that I recognize.” Diane Arbus

6. What do you eat for breakfast? Peanut butter and banana on two slices of multi-grain toast. Preferably in the shape of a happy face.

7. What do you do when you’re not working? I spend time with family and friends. I read, write, draw, paint, play guitar, sing, and dance. I enjoy life.

Intellectual Property (IP) Exhibit hosted by Medicine Hat College Libraries

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Chelsey Reid, Copyright Officer, introduces speakers at the MHC IP Exhibit in the Southwest Lounge, Vera Bracken Library.
Chelsey Reid, Copyright Officer, introduces speakers at the MHC IP Exhibit in the Vera Bracken Library.

On November 13, 2014 the library hosted the first ever IP Exhibit at Medicine Hat College, focusing on college use of Intellectual Property (IP). Treats and beverages were served to faculty and staff who attended to see displays of works by their colleagues. Eight faculty and staff exhibited their work, including a self-published successful cookbook, a textbook, 3D printed objects, a trademarked acronym, journal articles and artwork. Several exhibitors spoke about the challenges and successes they faced while creating these works. The event was well received with attendees expressing interest in further similar events.