Where are you from?
I’m originally from Calgary and I’ve lived in and around southern Alberta all of my life. I’ve lived in Brooks, Medicine Hat and Red Deer, but I keep coming back here. It’s beautiful country where the Prairies meet the mountains and I’ve been fascinated by the university as a structure and place since my youngest years.
How did you come to be at the U of L and what do you do here?
I’m an alum who studied English and, after I graduated, I began working in the library at Lethbridge College. I did that for a few years and then moved to Medicine Hat to work at the college library there for seven years. We were partners with the U of L library and I’d been liaising with the folks here for years when an opportunity came up that would allow for more public services involvement. That’s what I was looking for and I started here in 2011.
I’m the supervisor of Access Services. It’s a broad portfolio that includes frontline circulation and research support. I currently oversee the student assistant pool, physical collection maintenance and do community outreach. I’m also the Chair of a community engagement team. I liaise with partners on campus like Facilities and Security Services and am the Co-chair of a public services group working on adapting library services and spaces for changing needs.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The people. I’m constantly in awe and amazed at the diversity of work that’s being performed here, such as building digital collections with the community. The Blackfoot Digital Library is a good example of the cooperation between the Library and the Blackfoot community. Everything is student focused. It’s inspiring to me and I take a great deal of pride in the institution and the people I work with.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I refuse to give up ties. I wear a tie every day and I’ve done so for years. If I pop into work on a day off and am not wearing a tie, some people don’t recognize me.