The Dalhousie Libraries are delighted to welcome Margaret Vail, our new Systems Developer. Margaret began working at the Libraries on March 19.

The job of Systems Developer is something of a mystery to most of us, and Margaret admits that–at this early stage anyway–it’s hard to pin down exactly what her work will entail. She does know that she’s responsible for maintaining and updating the Libraries’ website, and that she’ll be programming new modules for Open Journal Systems (OJS). She will also be doing backend work with DalSpace, our institutional repository. Beyond that, she’ll be trouble-shooting and programming for various components of the Dal Libraries systems as required.

Margaret is a Dalhousie alumna, graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor in Computer Science. She has worked as a computer or web programmer for various companies including XWave (one of Canada’s largest IT companies) and LixarIT. She did two-year stint in Edinburgh for The Sugar Refinery, programming customer relationship management software—-and while there met the man she’ll be marrying in June.

Margaret is particularly happy to be working at Dalhousie. “I absolutely loved going to school here,” she says. “I really like Dal, and I’m very excited to be back here.” What she’s most looking forward to is meeting and working with Libraries staff on solving problems. “I love going to meetings and hearing what people’s issues are, and then problem solving along with them.”

Margaret’s passions are working as a Girl Guide Leader, which she has been doing for 10 years; travelling, camping, and reading fantasy fiction. And how does she feel about working in the same library as her mother (Shirley Vail is in our Document Delivery department)? She’s delighted. “My mum and I get along really well—she’s one of my best friends!”