Conrad Holmberg Interview

What is your position here?

Library Systems and Digital Repositories Analyst

What do you think is the most important part of your job?

Ensuring that technology benefits the efficiency and organisation of the AU Library.

What is the most interesting thing you've worked on at the AU Library?

The Digital Reading Room is an interesting application.  It's built inhouse and has the ability for course coordinators to build custom courses with a variety of resources including adding videos, external links, and more.  I feel that I can add a lot of improvements and features to an already popular application.  

What is the best book you've read lately?

Chris Hedges -- America, A Farewell Tour. The American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist details how the American empire is just falling apart. Everything from the crumbling infrastructure to the opioid addiction crisis; Chris Hedges travelled all over the USA to document in detail such problems. I also found answers to things I can personally relate to from my own experiences and observations.  After living in the USA for over 13 years and witnessing firsthand how everything from failing immigration services to stolen telephone copper lines is bringing down a first world nation.  

What do you do outside of work?

Anything that involves the outdoors from surfing to mountain biking. My recent endeavor is adventure touring with my motorcycle.

Where are you from and where have you lived?

I grew up in Athabasca, but have lived in Indonesia, Hawaii, California, and more.

What're your favorite thing about living in Athabasca?

You can stretch your arms without bumping in to people.

What's your favorite thing about AU?

It gives the opportunity for people in remote locations to obtain an education that normally would require relocating.

What made you want to work at AU?

The commute in Athabasca is quite easy compared with California where I was previously.

What is the coolest thing about the library?

The dedicated and friendly people.

Any advice for people wanting to go into your line of work?

Learn how to program and contribute to open source.

Is there a saying or quote you live by?

Some people live under their beds and some people live. I choose to live.

What does the perfect day look like?

Six-foot peelers and offshore winds at an uncrowded beach with my bat tail quad.

If you could go back in time what year would you travel to?

Anytime in my earlier days while memorizing the lottery numbers.

What are the qualifications needed to attain your position?

I have a Computing Science Degree.

What do you feel most proud of?

I worked for a telescope in Hawaii that created the world's largest digital all sky survey. The biggest map of the universe ever done!

Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

An extrovert who is quiet sometimes.

Library employees and cats are a common pairing, what is your pet of choice?

Fish, because they are the least amount of work.

What is something people may not know about you?

I'm willing to challenge any idea regardless of its origin.