UNews - human services

Malinsky returns to familiar setting

trevor.kenney — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:21:52 +0000

Supervisor, Access Service is a new position in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Library, but the person occupying it is not new to the U of L at all. Jesse Malinsky (BA '98) assumed the role in August and is proud to return to his alma mater.

"To say I was pleased to be able to come back and work here is an understatement," says Malinsky. "The position offers me the opportunity to create and try something new in the library field."

Prior to returning to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Malinsky worked seven years with Medicine Hat College (MHC) Library Services. During his time there he functioned as the library services specialist. That position's responsibilities included delivering academic writing and library instruction, providing information services, developing and supporting library systems and web services, and more.

Jesse Malinsky is most at home walking the library floor, making sure its patrons are being served well.

"MHC and the U of L are partners in the libraries' integrated library system. While there, I often liaised with the staff at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says Malinsky. "Before arriving here, I knew they were a dedicated and talented group. They are always asking, "How can we be better?" The needs of the students are always the first priority."

Returning to Lethbridge represents a return to his roots in the library. Before working in Medicine Hat, Malinsky was employed at Lethbridge College as the evening circulation supervisor before later migrating to information services.

"My role in Medicine Hat was arguably more analytical and technical in nature. My new position here requires those skills as well, but there is also a greater human dynamic when working in public service," he says.

As the supervisor of Access Service, Malinsky's responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the General Services Desk, Document Delivery Services/Interlibrary Loans, stacks maintenance and participation in a variety of library committees.

"I am very fortunate to work with a great group of people, who are dedicated to delivering the best service possible to the patrons of the library," he says. "I was worried that I would lose touch with students because I wouldn't be in a classroom or in information services, but I'm pleasantly surprised that this isn't the case."

As the supervisor, he also has the opportunity to oversee 15 to 20 student assistants.

"They definitely keep me busy, and pleasantly so. It is good to have a keen group of students with a broad variety of studies – it helps keep me sharp and hopefully more in tune with students' needs," he says.

Malinsky is usually easy to spot in the library. You can find him zipping among the levels, and is almost always wearing a necktie.

"Yes, the tie is my signature," he says. "I've been wearing them almost daily for the past 10 years. At Medicine Hat, a co-worker said, "I started here five years ago and about 6 to 8 guys wore ties. You are the last." I took a little pride in that."

He has in excess of 50 ties in his collection, none of which have books or cartoon characters on them, and uses a variety of knots to tie them – though the Pratt/Shelby is his knot of choice.

While some may question the continuing value of libraries in today's easy to access information age, Malinsky does not hesitate to tout its virtues.

"I still see the library as an ivory tower," he says. "Academic libraries contribute to and facilitate academic/intellectual discourse. We provide human services to access, evaluate and organize information to enhance the academic achievement of our patrons. Though it is more complex than that, it is a sad day if we cannot find value in those simple concepts."

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Malinsky returns to familiar setting

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:43:31 +0000

"To say I was pleased to be able to come back and work here is an understatement," says Malinsky. "The position offers me the opportunity to create and try something new in the library field."

Jesse Malinsky is most at home walking the library floor, making sure its patrons are being served well.

As the supervisor, he also has the opportunity to oversee 15 to 20 student assistants.

Malinsky is usually easy to spot in the library. You can find him zipping among the levels, and is almost always wearing a necktie.

He has in excess of 50 ties in his collection, none of which have books or cartoon characters on them, and uses a variety of knots to tie them – though the Pratt/Shelby is his knot of choice.

While some may question the continuing value of libraries in today's easy to access information age, Malinsky does not hesitate to tout its virtues.

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

For the love of the North

trevor.kenney — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:50:09 +0000

While many are seduced by the big city lights, it was northern lights that called to J. Michael Miltenberger (BASc '75).

Since graduating from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1975, he has used his political positions to protect the unique people and environment of the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.).

Born in Ottawa but raised in various communities in the N.W.T., Miltenberger served with the Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry before deciding to further his education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

It was a life-changing decision. Not only did he earn a BA (sociology) that paved the way for a career in human services, but he met Jeri, his wife of 37 years, with whom he's raised their daughter Michaela, who now attends the U of L.

J. Michael Miltenberger was honoured as the U of L's 2011 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year at Fall Convocation in October.

After studying at the U of L, Miltenberger pursued graduate studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. "Neither of us liked big-city life in Edmonton, so we bought an old truck, packed up our stuff and headed north to live a simpler life for a while," he says.

The family settled in Fort Smith, N.W.T. – a primarily Aboriginal community of 2,400 people – where Miltenberger built the family's timber-framed house. After a few years as a carpenter, he put his U of L degree to good use while working for the Department of Health and Social Services.

Miltenberger didn't begin his career with political ambitions. But after serving on town council, he was inspired to run for mayor, even though it meant a 50 per cent pay cut.

"The work interested me: the ability to enact laws and help the community develop," he says. In 1987 he completed his first term as mayor. He returned to the Department of Health and Social Services as regional superintendent shortly after that.

In 1995, he ran for MLA – and won – and has represented Fort Smith ever since. Presently, Miltenberger serves in cabinet as deputy premier, government house leader, minister of finance, minister of health and social services and minister of environment and natural resources.

"I've worked hard to make sure the community is well-served by the territorial government," says Miltenberger. He's also a passionate environmental advocate, working to protect at-risk species and water systems.

On the border between the N.W.T. and Alberta, Fort Smith is situated in the middle of the boreal forest and adjacent to the Slave River, best known for its powerful rapids that occasionally attract contentious hydroelectric dam proposals.

As minister of environment and natural resources, Miltenberger has worked closely with Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders to establish a water stewardship strategy for the N.W.T. and has been a significant figure on the international water-policy stage. Earlier this year, he was one of five Canadians on an expert panel at the Seventh Annual Rosenberg Water Policy Forum in Argentina where he delivered a paper on traditional knowledge and water-policy development in the N.W.T.

Water and other environmental issues, negotiating a final devolution agreement with Canada, an upcoming Canada-wide review of health care and a project to implement fibre-optic capability all contributed to Miltenberger's decision to run for office one last time. On Oct. 3, Miltenberger was elected to a fifth term.

"I'm grateful for the continued support of the constituency," says Miltenberger, reflecting on his re-election in an area renowned for its political toughness. "I look forward to spending the next four years working on the issues I'm passionate about. After that, I can pass the torch."

This story first appeared in the Fall 2011 issue of SAM. If you'd like to read the entire issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

New Edmonton campus director appointed

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:09:48 +0000

Dr. David Keast has been appointed the new director of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Edmonton campus.

He follows Naomi Beke, who accepted a position as associate registrar at Grant MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Keast began his duties Aug. 1.

Keast holds an MEd and a PhD in Educational Administration from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. Prior to joining the U of L, he was Dean of Career Programs at Portage College, in Lac la Biche, Alta., a position he held for 9 years. In that position, he was responsible for the management of all business, health, human services, and university studies programs.

"David is a terrific addition to the U of L's management team," says new Dean of Management, Dr. Robert Ellis. "His experience, educational achievements, and knowledge of Alberta's post-secondary education market make him very well qualified to lead the Edmonton campus in today's increasingly competitive market."

UNews - human services

Malinsky returns to familiar setting

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Malinsky returns to familiar setting

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For the love of the North

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New Edmonton campus director appointed

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