Meet our new staff

Name: Erin MacKinnon 
Pronouns: she/her 
Hometown: Port Hastings, Nova Scotia 
Job Title: Library Technician at Institute of Technology Campus 

Tell us about your experience in libraries and your favourite part of being a library technician. 

I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of experience in libraries. As a teenager, I worked at the Eastern Counties Regional Libraries' Port Hawkesbury Branch Library, as a student I worked at the St. Francis Xavier University Angus L. Macdonald Library, and most recently I worked at the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education, Early Years Community Development Centre. Getting started early is what inspired me to take the LIT program at NSCC and make libraries my career, not just my job.  

I learned early on that my favourite part of being a library technician is connecting people with answers. Sometimes those answers seem simple, like helping someone find a book on the shelf or getting them connected to the wi-fi, but those answers can connect someone to the next steps in their journey, whatever that journey may be. 

What attracted you to this position as a library technician at NSCC? 

I was attracted to this role because I wanted the opportunity to be a helper in the NSCC community. It’s always really rewarding helping students and watching them grow throughout their time in school. Not just in academics, but in confidence. I love the idea of being a part of that, no matter how big or small. 

Do you have any tips or tricks you can share about using the library? 

When I was a student, I didn’t know just how many databases were available through the library. I remember being so surprised to learn that I could easily stream movies I really wanted to see or find a novel I really wanted to read. The worst part was I only found out right before I graduated! So, my tip is to take advantage of every resource available to you through the library, whether it’s for your academics or just to wind down.  

What's your go-to place (or your favourite thing to do) in Halifax? 

My go-to place in the city is the Halifax Central Library. That might sound kind of silly, just going from one library to another, but it’s really unlike any other library I’ve ever been to.  

In my downtime I am a writer, so I like to pop in and work on my stories. It’s one of the best places around for people watching (second only to the airport!) so inspiration is never far.  

I’ve been to all kinds of programming and events there over the years like K-Pop random play dances, trivia, writing workshops. Recently I even tried their recording studio for the first time, which was a real treat.  

It’s one of the best spaces in the city and it deserves all the love it gets and more.