The Dal Libraries are saying goodbye to Aran Silmeryn, who has just accepted a position at the Vaughan Memorial Library at Acadia University.

Aran started working at the Killam Library on the first day of classes in September of 2010. His duties included staffing the circulation and information desks, as well as handling Novanet Express hold requests and claims returned files. In October 2012, Aran was seconded to Document Delivery to cover a maternity leave, which gave him the opportunity to develop a new set of skills. He was also a member of the award-winning Dal Libraries Green Team, a team that came up with environmentally friendly initiatives for the libraries.

Prior to coming to Dal, Aran worked at the NSCC Waterfront Campus Library, where he completed his diploma in Library & Information Technology. A mid-life career shift that he decided to go for in 2008, Aran was first employed in the library field within three months of starting his studies, all the while living in Wolfville and commuting to HRM.

“I’ve loved working at Dalhousie, but I’m also relishing the opportunity to work within my own community. Wolfville has been my adopted hometown for ten years, and I can see first-hand what a positive effect Acadia has on the fabric of the place. As work environments, the Vaughan and the Killam Libraries really mirror each other, but there will be differences, subtle and broad. I’m fascinated to find out what they’ll be. And naturally, I’m looking forward to trading in three hours of highway driving for a five minute stroll down a tree-lined street, ” says Aran.

“It was a pleasure working with Aran,” says Sandy Dwyer, who was the Head of Circulation at the Killam during most of Aran’s time here. “He was a valuable member of the team and he will be truly missed.”

Congratulations and best wishes from all of us at the Dalhousie Libraries, Aran!