December’s installment of 7 Questions With… AAAL Members features Leah Townsend, Instruction Librarian at NorQuest College Library.

1. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I’ve always wanted to learn how to surf, which is a bit of a challenge living where I do!

2. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad, but it turned out to be for the best? For almost three years I taught high school in a small northern community. When I decided to quit, I wasn’t sure if I had made the right choice. In retrospect, it was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. The job made me intensely unhappy, and quitting gave me the opportunity to pursue an MLIS.

3. If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? I am very interested in library service to distance and online learners. We have a small staff, so we don’t have a dedicated distance librarian at this time. I would love to take a year to develop a thorough outreach program aimed at our distance learners.

4. What is your favourite thing to binge watch? Cartoons for adults, like “The Venture Brothers” or “Archer”.

5. What is your proudest work-related accomplishment? Creating the IL Palooza workshop with Lisa Shamchuk. We wanted to build a free information literacy workshop that focused on real life examples of tools and techniques that have worked in practice. Our first iteration of IL Palooza went so well that it became an annual event, and it is still going strong after 4 years.

6. What do you eat for breakfast? I actually eat two breakfasts most days. A smoothie first thing in the morning before I go to the gym, and then usually a bagel or toast with fruit when I get to work.

7. What do you do when you’re not working? My mother and I are craft vendors at the downtown farmer’s market during the summer months, and at holiday craft shows in the winter. We call ourselves “Bouquet of Crochet”, and we mostly make handmade stuffed toys and animals.

November’s installment of 7 Questions With… AAAL Members features Ebony Magnus, Assessment & User Experience Librarian at SAIT.

1. What is something interesting you learned in the last month? Bumblebees have trouble recovering from stress without sugar. Thank you, sadanimalfacts.com

2. When was the last time you were nervous? Today. I’m filling out this questionnaire on November 9. Donald Trump is the United States President-Elect and I’m not sure I’ve ever been so nervous.

3. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Roll my Rs

4. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Ororo Munroe

5. If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for? Just a room full of puppies and cotton candy. Because puppies and cotton candy.

6. What is your best piece of career advice? Build strong relationships and take every opportunity to learn from those around you. I’ve only been in this profession for three years, but I’ve benefited immensely from the support and knowledge of mentors and peers.

7. What is your favourite quote? The past is always tense, the future perfect. – Zadie Smith

October’s installment of 7 Questions With… AAAL Members features Brad Neufeldt, Director of Library Services St. Mary’s University Library.

1. What is something interesting you learned in the last month? Donald Trump is actually a Cheeto.

2. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Ride a unicycle downhill while juggling

3.What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

• Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
• Bemsha Swing by Thelonious Monk perfomed by Medeski, Martin & Wood
• Nickel Bag of Funk by Digable Planets
• Pie Jesu from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem
• Weasel Pot Pie by That 1 Guy
• Shine of You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
• Rock the Casbah by The Clash

among many others

4.If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Marîd Audran in George Alec Effinger’s When Gravity Fails

5. What would you name the autobiography of your life? Feral Teddy Bears & Other Nightmares

6. What is your favourite quote? “If at first you don’t succeed …. well, so much for skydiving!”

7. When was the last time you were nervous? September 25, Sunday morning getting ready to ride 100 miles on a fixed gear bike (one gear & no freewheel).