Speakers

Diana’s love of libraries began with Saturday trips with her family to the Mississauga Central Library to borrow audiocassettes. She had probably listened to every classic novel by the time she majored in English at the University of Toronto at Mississauga. Libraries are a place that supports the connection between human beings and it is …

Diana is the Chair of the NNELS Funders group and represents one of the network’s founding provinces. She is the Director of the Public Library Services Branch, Municipal Affairs, in the Province of Alberta (since 2010). She is the past chair of the Provincial Territorial Public Library Council. Davidson holds a PhD in Literature and …

Dianne Oberg, PhD, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. Dianne’s research has focused on teacher-librarianship education and on the implementation and evaluation of school library programs. She continues to contribute to the work of Canadian School Libraries and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL). Dianne was the founding editor of the peer-reviewed …

Carli currently works on the Collections & Content team at the University of Guelph, as an Electronic Resources & Metadata Associate. In this role, she completes a wide range of tasks to provide support and access to the library’s vast electronic resource materials by creating and maintaining records, and investigating issues of access. She completed …

Carol Rigby specializes in creating original multilingual and multiscript library catalogue records, with a focus on Inuit language. She has over two decades’ experience working in school, public and special libraries in Nunavut, both in front-line public service and in technical services. Since 2004, she has provided cataloguing services on contract for the Nunavut Legislative …

Cate Carlyle is the Curriculum Resource Centre Coordinator in the Faculty of Education at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A special academic librarian and former elementary school teacher and TL, she has also worked in public libraries and international libraries. Cate is the VP Nova Scotia for the Atlantic Provinces Library Association.

Chelsea Murray has been with the Calgary Public Library since 2013, and has worked at several different locations throughout the system. Through this, she has gained a diversity of experience in working with people of all age groups, and has fed her passion for variety and creative projects. Chelsea continues to seek out new challenges …

Chloe is the OER librarian and an engineering librarian at Concordia University, Montreal. Previously, she worked as the business liaison librarian and an information services librarian at Hong Kong Baptist University. Chloe holds an MI degree from the University of Toronto and a BAH degree from Queen’s University.

Chris is the Online Learning Librarian at Lakehead University. Based at Lakehead’s campus in Orillia, Ontario, Chris supports students from a variety of disciplines, including Bachelor of Education students.

Christopher Carr is Special Materials Cataloguing Librarian at Concordia University and Chair of the CFLA-FCAB Cataloguing and Metadata Standards Committee.

Alison Clarke is the Coordinator, Performance Measures & Data at Brampton Library. Alison designs data collection systems, and is currently working on a system to determine branch capacity. She also finds joy in showing people how to use a pivot table. Alison has discovered other data-loving colleagues on the OPLA Research & Evaluation committee.

Colette currently holds the position of Executive Officer, with York University Libraries. With over 15 years experience working in non profit organizations in senior administration levels with a focus on effective financial administration and day to day operations.

Throughout my nineteen years with the Greater Sudbury Public Library, my role as the Interlibrary Loans Technician provided me with a deeper experience of public libraries, collaboration of departments, services and programs within our library, City of Greater Sudbury departments, agencies in our community like CELA and various libraries. This opportunity allowed for all facets …

Colleen Harris attended Western University and completed a post graduate degree in Fund Development Management at Fanshawe College. With over 14 years of experience, she has worked for diverse organizations, including London Health Sciences Foundation, and the University of British Columbia with a focus on major gifts. Colleen is currently the Manager of Fund Development …

Colleen first discovered the possibility of a career in libraries when working as a Page more than 30 years ago. Colleen joined the Caledon Public Library as CEO and Chief Librarian in 2015. During her first four years withCPL, she – along with the Board and staff – has focused on developing and delivering on …

Corinne Abba (pronouns: she/her) is an academic librarian at George Brown College. An advocate for inclusive librarianship, Corinne is the Chair of the AODA Committee for College Libraries Ontario (2014-present) and currently serves as Project Manager for LEAP, the Library eResources Accessibility Project, with her colleague Siobán Linnen. Corinne can be reached at cabba@georgebrown.ca.

Corrina McGill received her MLIS from the University of Western Ontario, and has worked in public, school, and special libraries. She is currently the librarian at the Ontario Correctional Institute in Brampton, a place she definitely never thought she’d end up at in library school. Corrina has tea, cardigans, glasses, and books on the Librarian …

Cory Laverty is a research librarian with interests in inclusive teaching practices, inquiry-based learning, and professional development models for faculty and librarians. She holds a PhD in Information Science and has a background in music and teaching. She served as a Peer Mentor for the CARL Librarians’ Research Institute and was honoured with the OCUFA …

Musician and music enthusiast, Cory Crossman is a grassroots guy. His background focused on presenting live music ranging from small club shows to large festivals to community events. His current role as Music Industry Development Officer for the City of London positions him as the lead contact at City Hall for the music industry, serving …

Cristina Pietropaolo is the Operations & Project Coordinator at Ryerson University Library’s Collaboratory, a research hub for graduate students and faculty members. She holds an MA in Folkore (Memorial University), did PhD research in Canadian Studies (University of Edinburgh), and is currently pursuing an MI (University of Toronto). Her research interests include literatures,cultural production as …

Fletch is a fifth generation Torontonian who moved to the village of Codrington in 1993 with wife Dorothy to semi retire. His working career includes 24 years in the travel industry, 20 of those at Canadian Pacific Airlines , 4 at Fiesta Holidays in a variety of marketing and operational jobs leaving Fiesta as VP …

Dan Sich is the Teaching & Learning Librarian, E-Learning in Western Libraries at the University of Western Ontario. He has been involved in the creation of Information Literacy instructional videos and other online library tutorials since 2003.

Annie Kakooza did her post graduate Library Studies at the University of Aberystwyth’s College of Librarianship in the U.K. Her experience is in various library settings in the GTA includes Public Libraries and various specialized libraries where she has worked mostly solo. Her enthusiasm for helping people and passion for empowering patrons has served her …

Ardis Proulx-Chedore is a Library Information Technician who is employed as the Program Coordinator & Archivist at the Cochrane Public Library, located in Northern Ontario. In 2019, her library’s 2018 TD Summer Reading Club earned the CNIB’s Program Accessibility Award. Ardis creates, facilitates and organizes programming for all ages. When she isn’t knee-deep in all …

Ariel Caldwell is a Teen Services Librarian at Vancouver Public Library, and coordinates the Connection to Kith and Kin program. As the Teen Librarian for northeast Vancouver, she’s worked closely with a strong, vibrant, urban Indigenous population for 6 years, and these relationships formed the basis for Connections to Kith and Kin. Ariel also teaches …

Ashley Farrell (MLIS, AHIP) is a graduate from the Masters of Library and Information Science program at Western University. She is currently working as an Information Specialist for the University Health Network and has previously worked as a medical librarian for Cancer Care Ontario and the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region. Ashley is the former president …

Ashley Directo is the Manager of Marketing & Communications at Milton Public Library. She oversees all marketing and communication initiatives across MPL’s three branches. Ashley has been the marketing field for over a decade in both the public and private sectors and loves being in a role that supports her local community.

Bailey is the librarian for Woodstock Hospital and the Regional Library Service. She accepted this role in November of 2018, however, she has worked in Health Libraries for almost her entire career. She has been an executive member of the Ontario Health Library Association, in the position of Conference Planner and Secretary, as well as …

Barb has been a Registered Social Worker for over 30 years in Haliburton County. She provides counselling to HHFHT patients who are living with a range of issues. She facilitates the Mindfulness-based Chronic Pain Management Program. As a lover of books, she often refers to relevant books for clients and encourages them to use the …

Barb is currently the Business Analyst at Calgary Public Library where her responsibilities include project management, change management, and stakeholder engagement. Her previous role was as Librarian at the Central Library.

Bart is a Web and Discovery Services Librarian at Scholars Portal. His work focuses on the development of library applications that connect students and faculty to the expansive digital collections created by Ontario university libraries. Part of his role involves supporting libraries in their own publishing efforts by helping manage the software and systems side …

Beckie has been an interviewer and interviewee more times than she can count! She brings a wealth of experience and advice from both sides of the table. She has predominantly worked in public libraries, however, has created great networking connections in all library types from across the country through committee work, conferences, and having worked …

Ben Smeets has worked at a number of urban libraries in Ontario and Alberta, and is currently the Branch Librarian at Brampton Library’s newest branch. His professional interests include makerspaces, digital literacy, 3d printing, life-long learning and how library services can inspire creativity. When he’s not at work, Ben’s either making something, or riding bikes …

Benoit Rochon is a wikipedian since 2003, and co-founder of the national Chapter, Wikimedia Canada, created in 2008. He is also the wikipedian in residence at BAnQ, Library and Archives of Quebec, for the past 5 years.

Beth is passionate about helping children and adults find what they love to read and embracing their inquiry mindset. Asking questions, making mistakes and learning together are central to her role as a teacher-librarian. Whether through loose parts play, photography, art and other mediums, Beth loves to connect with the learners around her and share …

Beth has worked as the Cataloguing and Acquisitions Coordinator at Collingwood Public Library for two years. She absolutely loves this role, but began her time at CPL as a summer student in the Children’s department, which ignited her passion for working in libraries almost eight years ago. After completing her MLIS, Beth began working at …

Beth worked for a number of years as a teacher in various public schools, before transitioning to her current job as Youth Services Assistant at Idea Exchange in Cambridge. At Idea Exchange, she has worked with her colleague, Emma Campbell to implement and run a seed library, build community partnerships to source and offer eco-living …

Beth Sandore Namachchivaya is the University Librarian at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. She is active in the Tri-University Group (TUG) Library consortium, the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Her research focuses on scholarly communication and research impact assessment.

Bilal Khalid is a Senior Application Developer in the ITS department at the University of Toronto Libraries. His responsibilities include supporting the planning, implementation and maintenance of software solutions for the library system.

Brandon joined SOLS in 2016. As a member of the consultant team, Brandon provides advice and assistance in the areas of library services, board governance, and planning. Brandon also conducts audits on behalf of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council. Brandon is the lead on the development of Professional Resources on LearnHQ.ca.

Brandon Kidd is Youth Services Librarian at the Idea Exchange libraries in Cambridge, Ontario. He became eager to see Bibliotherapy develop after learning about its successes in specific localities. He will conclude this panel by presenting on how Ontario’s public libraries are ideally situated to deliver comprehensive Bibliotherapy services, particularly for young people, and present …

Despite having two graduate degrees (M.S. in Instruction and Curriculum with a specialization in School Library Media and M.I. in Library and Information Sciences), Brooke is still a kid at heart — plenty of geektastic passions, Disney lover, Netflix binge watcher, and owner of massive movie collection dubbed Brooke-buster. Currently, she serves a wide variety …

Bruce Konick is the Planning and Development Officer at Hamilton Public Library. He leads data collection, analysis, and reporting at HPL,both internally to the Library Board and externally to library government agencies and partner organizations. From page to clerk to library data analyst, Bruce’s career at HPL spans more than 30 years. He draws on …

A Librarian at Western Libraries for approximately 13 years, I am the Head, User Experience & User Services. I work with a dynamic and engaged team to deliver the best experience for our user communities.

Caitlin Fralick is currently Branch Manager of the Concession, Binbrook, and Mount Hope branches of the Hamilton Public Library. She has been a manager at HPL for 9 years, overseeing a variety of locations and projects. Before moving home to Hamilton she worked as a librarian for the Kingston Frontenac Public Library and the Ottawa …

Caleb spent the previous decade working in community-based health research before earning his LIT diploma from Seneca College. At University Health Network, Caleb provides Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services to clients and is passionate about connecting people with the resources they need. When he’s not tracking down books and articles, Caleb spends his time …