October’s installment of 7 Questions With… AAAL Members features Debbie Feisst, Digitization Librarian (acting), University of Alberta Libraries .

1. What is something interesting you learned in the last month? Being 9 months into a 1 year position as Digitization Librarian, I am learning something new every day! Delving into project management, dealing with vendors, digital asset management and current standards and best practices in metadata. However, just last night my six year old and I learned that some sharks have live births and some ‘lay’ eggs. How did I not know this?!

2. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad, but it turned out to be for the best? I missed the application deadline to apply for the MLIS at UBC, thereby eventually applying to U of Alberta. Which eventually led to me meeting my husband. Which eventually led to you thinking, “awwww.”

3. What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? Every Single Song from Weezer’s Blue Album. As long as it’s the Extended Bonus Disc edition.

4. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Max, of the Wild Things. I always wanted to hear what a Wild Rumpus sounded like. Plus, in the end he still got to eat his supper.

5. What would you name the autobiography of your life? I Got It Done, and Mostly Correct

6. What is your best piece of career advice? Start with the hard stuff first. This was actually my Dad’s advice to me growing up, and it has never failed me.

7. What is your favourite quote?
That it will never come again
Is what makes life so sweet.
– Emily Dickinson

September’s installment of 7 Questions With… AAAL Members Nicole Palanuk, Manager, Library Instruction & Service at Yellowhead Tribal College.

1. What is something interesting you learned in the last month? I recently returned from the International Indigenous Librarians Forum held at the University of Manitoba. One of the things I learned from the Elders was about language. They spoke about the tie between language and identity — when you lose your language you lose who you are. Using another community’s language changes the way your ideas and thoughts are expressed because there are concepts that cannot be translated. So knowing your own language is really important to maintaining your identity.

2. What is your favourite colour? Red. I love to wear red outfits and red accessories.

3. What is your best piece of career advice?
Don’t be afraid to move! I’m originally from Ontario but I moved to Alberta for work. Sometimes your dream job may not be in the city you live in right now.

4. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would love to learn how to do graphic design.

5. What is your favourite thing to binge watch? Dr Who or Once Upon A Time

6. What is your proudest non-work related accomplishment? When I was in my early 20s I climbed Mt. Fuji. It was really difficult but the experience of viewing the sunset from the top of the mountain was worth it.

7. What is your favourite quote? The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

August’s installment of 7 Questions With… AAAL Members features Luke Malone, Collection Development Librarian, the Reg Erhardt Library at SAIT.

1. What is something interesting you learned in the last month? As part of our library PD day this week, we learned about geocaching! This involved a scavenger hunt all over the campus. I had no idea there were little geocaches scattered all around these places I go every day. It was cool learning to use the GPS and finding these little treasures.

2. When was the last time you were nervous? I recently tried an escape room for the first time. Escape rooms are themed rooms that you and a team are locked into. To get out, you solve a series of puzzles. We tried a pirate-themed room, and it was a lot of fun, but also somehow nerve-wracking when I didn’t know what to expect!

3. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?  Speak French. And then maybe Spanish. Of course, I COULD actually do this, it’s just finding the time.

4. What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? I’m a music freak, so there are many. My all-time favourite song is ‘Malibu’, by Hole. It just sounds like summer to me. My favourite album is D’Angelo’s Voodoo.

5. If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for? It would be a Great Gatsby-style party, with all the lavishness that comes with it. Of course, I’d also need the house. It would be for friends and their friends, and a celebration of nothing in particular.

6. What is your favourite thing to binge watch? I wanted to say Orange Is the New Black, but season three is a bit of a slog. So Nashville!

7. What do you do when you’re not working? Play as much tennis as I can. There’s also a great name that tune night in Calgary, so you can find me at the Cat ‘n’ Fiddle pub most Thursday evenings.