Sessions and Speakers

Our world is changing and it's time for public libraries to speak up and stand firm. Collection challenges, censorship and protests against our programs and services are on the rise and it can be challenging to navigate through this new landscape. In this session, we'll introduce you to the trends we're seeing across Canada and give you a firm understanding of intellectual freedom, censorship and the role each can have and play out within a public library. We'll guide you through the CFLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee's work and the resources available to you. Lastly, we'll end with a collaborative exercise that will help broaden your experience with intellectual freedom, censorship, and what it means to truly uphold both as a librarian. 

Kelly Lauzon is the Operations Manager at the Airdrie Public Library in Alberta. Kelly has been with the organization for 14+ years, and is committed to free, open, and accessible public library service. Prior to Airdrie, she worked as the Information Technology Consultant at Northern Lights Library System.

Dina Stevens received her Hons. BA from York University and MLIS from Western University. Dina has been working with FOPL for over two years as the Executive Director and brings over 15 years of public library experience to the role.

Sacred Medicine Wheel Teachings

It is integral to learn and share the Teachings of the Sacred Medicine Wheel to gently introduce people to Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being.  These teachings are beneficial and insightful for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and they can help guide us on the road to Truth and Reconciliation with understanding ways of thinking and feeling, knowing and connecting to one another and our Mother Earth.

The Medicine Wheel represents the Life Journey

The overall purpose of the Medicine Wheel is learning balance and moderation, with recognition and appreciation of what life has to offer.  There is no right or wrong way to use the medicine wheel as it is both a universal symbol and a personal tool to help us remember these teachings and incorporate them into our daily lives. 

Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes is a proud Nehiyaw Esquao (Cree Woman), a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Treaty Six, and Métis.  Her ceremonially gifted Cree name translates to “Healing Woman Who Walks Far”, and she has resided in Calgary, Treaty 7, Alberta, since 1993.  Cheryle earned a BA in Communications and a BA in Canadian “Native” Studies from the University of Calgary, and a Diploma in Advertising & Public Relations from Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton.  Cheryle received the rank of Corporal in the Canadian Air Force, receiving an honourable discharge after five years’ service.

Cheryle has been an Indigenous activist within Calgary and area for the past two decades, speaking, marching, singing and drumming for women, MMIWG2S/Sisters in Spirit/Justice for Jackie Crazybull, Indigenous Justice, championing the environment and equality, and speaking up for those who cannot.  Cheryle retired as Administrative Coordinator at the Native Centre at the University of Calgary; she was former Leader of the Green Party of Alberta (2018-2019) and a KAIROS Blanket Exercise Facilitator (2017-2020). She received an IAAW Esquao Award for Justice and Human Rights in May 2023. Recognized as a Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Cree Elder and Pipe Carrier, Cheryle provides service sharing Indigenous protocol, Territorial Acknowledgements, Medicine Wheel Teachings, Indigenous cultural teachings and stories, prayers and ceremony (upon request).  She is a member of the Storytellers of Canada and Storytelling Alberta as an Indigenous storyteller and performer.  Cheryle is mother of two and “Kokum” (grandmother) to five beautiful grandchildren. 

Almost every organization attempts to express its identity through statements: mission, vision, values, and more. For library boards, your Plan of Service must (at a minimum) include a mission statement—but what's the point? Can a few words really make a difference or is it all just corporate bafflegab? Believe it or not, well-crafted statements do have the power to improve organizational focus, unity, and ultimately the service you provide. In this session we’ll review various types of statements, explore the benefits they can have on board governance and library operations, and consider some strategies for developing statements that are authentic and compelling. 

Jordan DeSousa is a Library Legislative Advisor at Public Library Services Branch, Alberta Municipal Affairs, where he helps library boards understand their legislative responsibilities and excel in their governance role. Jordan has been working with public libraries in Alberta since 2013 and enjoys learning about what makes every community unique. 

Too often, high-tech is synonymous with high cost. This doesn’t have to be the case! We’ll explore budget-sensitive techniques for adopting current and emerging technologies that will wow your patrons!

Learning outcomes:

Participants will:

• Identify which technologies are ripe for adoption at the library, and when to acquire them.
• Learn cost-effective techniques for delivering emerging technology programs and services to library patrons.
• Develop strategies for communicating value to library stakeholders when adopting technology.

Nick Tanzi is an internationally recognized library technology consultant, and author of the books Making the Most of Digital Collections Through Training and Outreach (2016) and Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services (2020). Nick is a past column editor for Public Library Magazine's "The Wired Library". His work has also been featured in publications including Computers in Libraries, Library Journal, American Libraries, and Marketing Library Services. You can find his thoughts on the intersection of libraries and technology at the-digital-librarian.com.

Advocacy is much more than talking about funding. It’s about demonstrating the value that libraries bring to people every day. When people value things, the funding usually follows.

Libraries contribute to the quality of life in communities. They are hubs for people to learn, grow, gather and have fun. As such, libraries are one of the most effective and impactful uses of public funding.

Learn how to develop key messages and strategies to reach stakeholders year-round, and about the roles that Library board members and staff play in advocating for strong and vibrant libraries.

Sue Heuman, based in Edmonton Canada, is an award-winning, accredited authority on organizational communications with more than 40 years’ experience. Since cofounding Focus Communications in 2002, Sue has worked with clients to define, understand and achieve their communications objectives.

Sue is a much sought-after executive advisor, focused on leading communication audits and strategies for clients in all three sectors. Much of her practice involves a strategic review of the communications function within an organization, analysing channels and audiences. She creates strategic communication plans and provides expertise to enable their execution. She has extensive experience working with libraries and library regions, and currently provides services to Yellowhead Regional Library and Northern Lights Library System.

Delve into the transformative impact of AI chatbots on library services. Explore their current use in enhancing user experiences and streamlining resource access. We'll discuss the future implications for various library types, highlighting the potentials and pitfalls of this new collaboration between librarians and machines. This concise exploration of the current AI landscape in libraries invites you to envision the evolving role of AI chatbots in shaping the future of library services. 

Darel Bennedbaek is the Chief Executive Officer of The Alberta Library. He was previously at Lethbridge College (first as the systems librarian, then as the library coordinator), and the systems librarian at Burman University before that. He received his BA (hons) in English Literature from the University of New Brunswick Saint John, and his MLIS from the University of Alberta. Darel's career path has touched on many aspects of librarianship having actively worked in technical services, library systems, research, information literacy, collection development, library space design, virtual reality (VR), curriculum design, library programming, and served for 5 years on the Lacombe Public Library Board in various positions. He is very excited about how the merging of AI and VR will make a suitable holodeck.

Karen Keiller is the Chair of The Alberta Library (TAL) and Dean of the Library at MacEwan University, located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She has held previous administrative positions at Lakehead University, University of New Brunswick, and University of Winnipeg. She received her BA (hons) from the University of Winnipeg in urban geography and a MLIS from the University of Western Ontario. She has held positions in access services, collection development, systems, and information literacy.

Carla Lewis is the Learning Support Librarian, and Director of Learning Support at the University of Calgary Libraries and Cultural Resources. She has her LIT diploma from MacEwan University, Secondary Education degree and Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta. Dedicated to exploring leadership theories, Carla finds new ways to incorporate them into her daily practice, and sharing strategies and reflections with individuals interested or new to library management and leadership. Her research focuses on management and leadership in libraries, knowledge management, information maintenance, and academic library service.

Kim Groome is an Information Specialist at the University of Calgary Libraries and Cultural Resources who helps individuals find quality information for research and personal projects. With a B.Ed. built on mathematics, and a certificate in business intelligence and analysis, Kim advocates for a data-centric approach to everything. As the original administrator for T-Rex, the library chatbot, Kim emphasizes the importance of authentic human-automation interactions for successful chatbot implementation, and the continuous analysis to improve both accuracy and the library patron experience.

1. “What the Famous 5 Began – We Continue!” Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders with Alberta’s Famous 5 and the 95th Anniversary of the ‘Persons’ Case 

October 18, 2024, will mark the 95th anniversary of the historic ‘Persons’ Case verdict and the victory by the Famous 5 to have women recognized equally under the law as ‘persons’, thereby entitled to serve as Senators. We invite the you to celebrate this historic milestone with us, and in recognition of these 5 courageous women from Alberta:  Emily Murphy,  Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung.

The F5F presents two programs that are a hybrid of in-person and virtual sessions. They require minimal technology expertise. They promote an understanding of history and diversity and appeal to a range of ages and audiences. They can work with existing library resources to create displays, book clubs and suggested reading. Learning more about the F5 is an inspiring experience – whatever your gender, race, sexuality, age, or background, we are all persons and nation builders.

Frances Wright is very grateful that her parents brought her to Calgary from South Africa when she was six years old. After earning a B.A., Psychology/Sociology from the University of Calgary and completing the Canadian Securities Course, Frances moved to Ottawa to work on Parliament Hill and complete an Honours B. Journalism at Carleton. From 1996 until 2005, Frances had the pleasure of serving as the Co-Founder and CEO of the Famous 5 Foundation. As of January 1, 2022, Frances became the CEO of the F5F once again in preparation of the 95th Anniversary of the ‘Persons’ Case on Oct. 18, 2024 and she welcomes your suggestions and participation. As the happy and proud spouse of Richard Pootmans, Calgary City Councillor for Ward 6, Frances is looking forward to many more years of repaying Canada for allowing her to be a citizen so she can continue to ‘feel equal to high and splendid braveries!’  The F5 pledge!

Kimberly Gunn is an experienced marketer, designer and community initiative supporter spanning a 25 year career. She also enjoys casual shifts at the Cochrane Public Library Circulation Desk! 

2. Minecraft Education Edition 

This presentation is geared towards showing the Marigold Library team how to utilize Minecraft EDU in a diverse programming atmosphere. We will tackle the materials and time required as well as show off some of the “plug and play” modules built into the program that can make presenting engaging content a breeze. 

Jamieson Gardiner is a jack-of-all-trades master of some kind of man. Born in Edmonton Alberta, Jamieson grew up in a slightly impoverished home though he never knew it. As a result much of his time was spent at his local library. Jamieson is now the Digital Literacy and Teen programmer at Airdrie Public Library. 

Join us at this dynamic conference presentation featuring Haley Amendt, Library Manager at Sylvan Lake Municipal Library, and Lesley Moody, Library Manager at Olds Municipal Library, as they unveil the ultimate hacks for successful library management. Drawing from their wealth of experience, Amendt and Moody will share invaluable insights, innovative strategies, and time-tested practices that every library manager should have in their toolkit. 

Haley Amendt is the Director of the Sylvan Lake Municipal Library, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the library industry since graduating with her MLIS in 2015. She is a dynamic leader with a background in managing a small rural library and years of consulting for a regional library system. 

Lesley Moody, a library manager with over 20 years of experience, has been a stalwart leader at the Olds Library, steering it through dynamic changes in the field. Her strategic acumen, commitment to community engagement, and adept use of innovative technologies showcase her as a seasoned professional dedicated to the continual enhancement of library services. 

1. Friendly Faces: Setting Up a Welcome Hub at your Local Library

In January 2024 the Okotoks Public Library in partnership with the Town of Okotoks and Foothills Community Immigrant Services launched Okotoks’ first ever Welcome Hub, a pilot project meant to offer resources, information, support and a welcoming place to Okotoks newcomers. Learn more about how this project came about, why it’s important and how you can start your own Welcome Hub at your library.

Sarah Gillie has worked in public libraries across Canada for over 20 years. As a third-generation library worker, one could say libraries are in her blood. Most recently in her time with the Okotoks Public Library she has participated in advocacy and fundraising efforts to support the library's 2021 expansion. In her free time, Sarah enjoys watching episodes of Love Island (from any country) and cuddling with her two cats, George and Marlee and dog, Jackson.

Janette Messer is the Special Project, Events and Library Liaison Manger with the Town of Okotoks. Originally from the UK, Janette has seen many changes in the community over the 20 plus years working for the Town. This includes a major expansion to the Okotoks Library followed a few years later by the construction of a new facility that will accommodate a growing community into the future. The future of Okotoks also includes welcoming an ever growing newcomer community. In partnership with Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services the Welcoming Okotoks initiative, supported by a provincial grant, is working with newcomers to create a sense of belonging. 

Julia Baker is the Program Coordinator for the Foothills Local Immigration Partnership (FLIP) with Foothills Community Immigrant Services (FCIS). She holds a Master's Degree in International Development with a focus on migration. Julia has spent her career working in community development, newcomer settlement and research, and the promotion of inclusive and welcoming communities.

2. How to Assist Library Patrons Experiencing Divorce & Separation

The goal of this session is to equip public librarians with the knowledge to assist patrons involved in family law disputes or attempting to understand the family justice system. During this session, Angela Ashton will discuss the Alberta Law Library’s role in this process – who they are and what they do; define the difference between legal information and legal advice, and then provide a summary of the Alberta Law Library’s Family Law Research Guide, focusing on materials relevant to self-represented litigants involved in family law matters. The session will conclude with a summary of some of the excellent legal resources and clinics available to the public in Alberta.

Angela Ashton joined the Alberta Law Libraries in October of 2023 to “fulfill her destiny.” After obtaining her law degree from the University of Ottawa in 2003 and practicing family law for a number of years in Alberta, Angela returned to school to obtain her MLIS in 2016. She then operated a small yarn-dyeing business out of the home for the next handful of years while her children were small, and is now chuffed to be working for such a fantastic organization.

Public libraries across North America are facing an unprecedented increase in the frequency and intensity of security and safety incidents. In 2023, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council struck a working group to: promote learning, encourage support and collaboration around physical safety in public libraries, develop a toolkit of best practices, and create an advocacy and communication strategy to raise awareness of the complex societal issues that public libraries are facing. Resources, tools, and strategies will be shared to support library staff in responding to these challenges. 

Heather Robertson is the Director of Service Design and Innovation at the Calgary Public Library. She has a variety of leadership experiences in strategic planning, collection development, partnership development, and program and service design. In her current role, she champions innovation through a design thinking approach to program and service design, system safety and security, and library operations.

Vicky Varga is the Executive Director of Collections, Marketing, and Technology at the Edmonton Public Library. She is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of technology, research, and marketing functions at the library. She also directs and supports all aspects of EPL’s collection development and management. Vicky has worked in a wide variety of roles during her 25-year career at EPL. She has a strong interest in software and technology and how these systems support and enhance service delivery across EPL. Vicky’s current professional interests include advocacy for fair ebook and audiobook pricing for public libraries, enhancing EPL’s business intelligence capabilities, and developing strategies for expanding awareness of the breadth of library services.

See the what these Readers Advisory Divas and Dudes are most excited about for the summer season!

Janet Murie is proud to represent Orca Book Publishers as Sales Manager, and is based on Vancouver Island. She has worked in publishing since 1983, selling books into every market – chains, warehouse clubs, online retail, independent bookstores and libraries – over that time. She has specialized in sales to libraries and library wholesalers since 2007 and loved every minute of it.

Krisztina Riez is the Library Sales Manager for Children’s Books, Manga, and Graphic Novels at Penguin Random House. She has been curating resources for public and school libraries since 2013. The only thing that can compete with her love of ice cream is her enthusiasm for the wonderful array of children’s and young adult literature being published.

Allie Chenoweth is the National Account Manager, Library and Educational Retailers for Scholastic Canada. Prior to joining Scholastic in 2018, she worked for four years in marketing at Second Story Press. When not reading graphic novels or picture books, you can find her watching Jeopardy! or baking cake.

A session for trustees who want more clarity and understanding around the roles and responsibilities of being a trustee. Better understand the relationships between board, staff and your municipality and learn what it takes to become a successful trustee in your community. 

Self employed as a Bookkeeper and Tax Professional, Jenn Anheliger is in her 9th year as a library trustee with Town of Morinville Library Board serving 6 years as board chair. She also chairs the Northern Lights Library System Board and is the President of the Alberta Library Trustees Association. With a passion for Libraries and governance, everything she learned about during her time as a trustee encouraged her to become an elected official for the Town of Morinville. Jenn believes that strong education, peer networks and collaboration are key for finding success in any governance role

As a long-term library board trustee, Hank Smit remains passionate about libraries, how they improve communities and their value as essential services for all Albertans. Hank has served multiple years on the Town of Hinton Library Board, is the current chair of Yellowhead Regional Library System, Vice President of Alberta Library Trustees Association as well as spokesperson of the collaborative Systems Advocacy Group