Category: Library Staff

This weeks blog post features Toni Beaton, Student Librarian in both Information Literacy and Research Help this summer. We asked Toni a few questions to get to know her better! Read her answers below.

• When was the last time you were nervous?

The last time I was nervous, my husband was pretending to toss around my hardcover copy of Stephen King’s “Carrie” – part of a collection I’ve been growing over the past year (I think my eyes almost bulged out of my head).  

• If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

If I could learn to do anything, it would be to master all languages, which I think would amount to a superpower in my mind. 

•  If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

I’d be Ariel, as I’ve idolized “The Little Mermaid” since my days as a wee child in the early 90’s (not to date myself too much).  

• What project are you the most excited to work on this summer?

This summer at the library, I’m most looking forward to working on a project with my fellow interns, in which we completely revamp the virtual tour of the Patrick Power Library – stay tuned!

• What is your proudest work-related accomplishment?

My proudest work-related accomplishment would have to be the impact I’ve seen while teaching primary grade level students… when something finally clicks for them, and you can see they are having a “light bulb moment”. I am proud to have been a contributor to that.

• What is your proudest non-work-related accomplishment?

My proudest non-work related accomplishment has to be sailing my 39’ sailboat more than 5,000 nautical miles over the geographical span from Bonaire to right here in Halifax.

• What is your favourite quote?

My favourite quotes are both by my ride or die author: “Books are a uniquely portable magic” & “Get busy living, or get busy dying” – Stephen King. 

Meet Isabel!

This week’s blog post features Isabel Brechin, Student Librarian for Outreach & Engagement and Research Help this summer. We asked Isabel a few questions to get to know her better! Read her answers below.

• When was the last time you were nervous?

The last time I was nervous was starting this job! Starting fresh can be daunting. But I am so happy to announce there was no need to be nervous. Everyone has been so welcoming!

• If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

If I could learn to do anything it would be to speak a third language fluently. I speak fluent French and value it a lot, but my Spanish is completely terrible. I’ve tried to pick it back up multiple times in my life with little success.

• If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? If I could be any fictional character, I would be Winnie the Pooh!

It seems like a nice life- just eating honey and hanging out with my best friends all the time, getting up to mischief.

• What project are you the most exited to work on this summer?

I’m the most exited to work on the “Save Husky” online scavenger hunt! What a joy to get to make up a choose your own adventure for a living. Coming soon to a library near you.

• What is your proudest work-related accomplishment?

My proudest work-related accomplishment so far is developing partnerships with various food pantries in Halifax. At my previous position working for a farm and their market, I got to facilitate a mutually beneficial relationship where our unwanted produce got repurposed, organizations got free food for their user-base and people got fed!

• What is your proudest non-work-related accomplishment?

My proudest non-work-related accomplishment is learning to live alone for the first time and making my apartment a home! Nothing makes me feel more self-sufficient than cooking in a kitchen that I’ve set up just for me.      

• What is your favourite quote?

“we are each others harvest: we are each others business: we are each other magnitude and bond.” –Gwendolyn Brooks