EDUCATION

Master of Library and Information Science | University of Western Ontario, 2010

Bachelor of Arts, Honours English, Women’s Studies Option | University of Waterloo, 1992

PROFESSIONAL LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

Chief Executive Officer | Norfolk COunty Public LIbrary | Norfolk Ontario | 2022 – Ongoing

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration and Board Support

Ensures that the NCPL is operating in accordance with the PLA and relevant legislation

• Advises and informs the Board of new applicable legislation (i.e. PLA, AODA, and OHSA) as it relates to the Library
• Facilitates Board effectiveness through orientation and education
• Prepares meeting agendas and ensures timely preparation of minutes and reports
• Develops policies and procedures to guide efficient and effective library operations
• Cultivates a healthy working relationship with the Library Board
• Communicates with the Board regarding issues related to the library 
• Implements and communicates Board decisions to library employees
• Serves as the staff advisor to all Board Committees or delegates as appropriate
• Designs, develops and implements an operational plan based upon the NCPL’s strategic plan 
• Employs sound project management principles and procedures in the planning and implementation of programs and services

Financial Management

• Develops the annual operating and capital budgets for approval of the Library Board
• Aligns the budget with the library’s strategic plan
• Promotes and justifies the library’s needs to funding authorities
• Presents the NCPL budget request to Council
• Provides the NCPL Board with financial statements and reports on revenues and expenditures
• Monitors the financial management of the Library
• Spends the approved budget by authorizing payment of accounts
• Identifies and pursues alternate funding sources
• Ensures the NCPL is in compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements for receiving donations and issuing charitable receipts
• Prepares tenders and negotiates contracts for goods, services and capital projects
• Ensures all property and equipment owned, leased, or rented by the NCPL is in good condition
• Serves as one of three signing officers for the Board

Leadership

• Provides vision and guidance to library staff, board members, volunteers and the community
• Contributes to effective decision making regarding library services and resources
• Leads and empowers employees and volunteers to deliver effective, high-quality library services
• Cultivates relationships with media representatives, community leaders and decision makers
• Engages individuals, groups and community organizations in conversations that help shape the library and meet the needs of the community
• Liaises with Norfolk County staff that are responsible for providing intradepartmental services
• Participates in Norfolk County senior leadership team meetings and projects when invited
• Invites Council members to participate in library events and opportunities to build relationships and understanding about the value of a public library
• Builds community support for the library
• Applies change management strategies to assure effective implementation of change and acceptance by all stakeholders

Personnel Management

• Administers the terms of the Non-Union Policies
• Hires staff
• Oversees that staff training, performance reviews, discipline and dismissals follow set policies and employment law
• Works to support a healthy work environment that enables a culture of teamwork and the provision of excellent customer service
• Supports the performance management process with open communication, coaching and training plans to develop core competencies of staff
• Plans for and supports staff development
• Provides direction to the management and operations teams and measures their performance against achievement of goals and objectives
• Deals with employee relation issues

Strategic Planning

• In collaboration with the NCPL Board, develops a strategic plan for the organization
• Ensures that the library staff execute and evaluate the strategic plan
• Monitors use and trends and recommends changes to the services that the library provides
• Works to create operating plans which will respond to community needs and emerging trends

Collection Management

• Oversees the selection, acquisition, organization and maintenance of the library’s collection of print and digital collections
• Monitors the expenditures and accounting for acquisitions Programs and Services
• Develops standards and performance measurements and regularly reviews programs and services to ensure that they meet needs and are delivered in a cost effective way 
• Manages, designs and or implements outreach services and literacy based programs for targeted groups including adults, youth, children and families
• Addresses customer service concerns
• Recommends a variety of marketing and promotional tools to raise awareness of the library and its programs and services

Policy Development

• Carries out Board policies and directives
• Advises the Board on matters of policy
• Recommends policies to meet the goals and objectives of the library to meet the needs of the community for library services
• Reviews existing policies and recommends changes or additions to the Board

Risk Management

• Creates and maintains a business continuity plan for the Library which addresses risk mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery/evaluation
• Ensures that the Library maintains effective internal control systems to protect the organization
• Adequately maintains and protects organization assets (human, physical and financial)

Facility Management

• Creates a welcoming and user friendly environment that encourages all community members to discover and use library services at five Branches
• Coordinates with Norfolk County facilities staff on major capital projects and upgrades
• Works with the NCPL Facility Committee to plan for building upgrades and future development
• Ensures compliance of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other applicable legislation
• Ensures due diligence of all health and safety matters including work place inspections, training, risk assessments, investigations and correcting of hazards

Technology

• Oversees the development of processes for planning and purchasing technology
• Creates capital budgets to support technology replacement and growth
• Creates, implements and evaluates policies and procedures for use of technology regarding library services

Manager, Library Services| Weston Family LIbrary | Toronto Botanical Garden | August 2021 – February 2022 (6-month Contract)

Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Learning to advance the position of the library as a vital resource for the garden’s staff, members, volunteers and visitors.
• Develops, maintains and expands the library’s collections and secures appropriate online databases and products.
• Develops and follows existing collection policies to guide accessions and deaccessions of books and periodicals.
• Develops and leads library programs to increase engagement with members and visitors.
• Establishes partnerships with other libraries to enhance the Garden’s reach and services.
• Provides reference and research services to staff, members, volunteers and visitors.
• Administers the library catalogue/circulation automation systems (Koha ILS) and oversees imports of new members into Koha.
• Facilitates public interface with Koha, implementing orientation and training to volunteers and library users.
• Develops and maintains the company’s Digital Asset Management System for images, videos and other digital assets.
• Maintains the institutional archives and enhances organization knowledge management.
• Ensures the library maintains up to date technologies, practices and procedures.
• With the support of the Head of Volunteer Services, recruits, trains and supervises the library volunteers in the areas of circulation, collections management, cataloging, research and archives maintenance.
• Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates student interns.
• Supports the development and adherence to the annual budget for the library and interpretation programs.
• Collects data and prepares grant reports. Assists with grant research and writing as required.
  – Tracks and manages library statistics and prepares monthly and annual reports on the use of the library.
• Works closely with marketing department to update the website, create social media content and support other marketing efforts including highlighting new books in Garden e-news and Trellis Magazine.
• Support other educational programming opportunities as required.

eLibrarian | Huntsville Public Library | August 2019 – February 2021 (18 month contract)

Pre-COVID19

Accountability

• administrating Koha, Open source Integrated Library System
• continuing development and maintenance of library website
• developing strong and responsive team supporting the Interlibrary Loan program and Cataloguing; fostering respectful and outcome-oriented relations among staff
• developing and maintaining positive library-vendor relationship and consortia membership
• adhering to the Library’s mission, value, and goal statements
• leading the development of staff training programs; collaboratively establish individual staff members’ goals and objectives
• managing library collections (adult and media) in various formats; stack management, evaluation, and reorganizing
• monitoring statistics and performance measures reporting monthly to CEO
• assuming library responsibility in the absence of CEO
• actively participating with leadership group establishing procedures, assessing service provisions, developing best practices, managing the day-to-day operations of the library, designing and executing pilot programs testing technologies and communication software, planning staff training, and other critical operational information and responsibilities

Service Provision

• providing in-person, telephone, and email information and reference services to patrons delivering an outstanding and exemplary customer service experience
• facilitating learning for computer and technology classes for community-based agencies and library patrons
• creating and managing social media marketing strategies, collateral design, and long-term sustainable scheduling using Hootsuite (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• empowering staff to adhere to established procedures and policies in the delivery of customer service and execution of role-specific duties
• maintaining excellent working knowledge of library’s services, collections, and available technologies

Leadership

• providing mentoring and coaching for staff in reporting line including feedback loop
• modeling professional behaviour and customer service best practices in a library setting
• establishing responsive communication practice for reporting line
• writing policies and procedures as necessary
• creating agile professional development plans and self-assessment strategies

DURING COVID19

Accountability

• administrating Koha, Open source Integrated Library System defined by disruption of service provision requiring changes to system preferences, reports, and administration
• redesigning and evaluating the library website transitioning to a responsive portal for digital collections, virtual services, and virtual activities
• creating and managing social media marketing strategies, collateral design, campaign branding, placement, scheduling, and velocity (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• monitoring statistics and performance measures for workloads and workflow and electronic resources statistics reporting to CEO
• adhering to the Library’s mission, value, and goal statements

Responsibilities

• writing documentation for maintenance and ongoing development of website including site management and writing practices
• strategically realigning collection development practices focusing on transitioning to digital resources
• designing and instituting a comprehensive and aggressive deselection process of all adult collections
• ensuring website compliance with AODA
• completing updated health and safety training specific to COVID-19 pandemic
• organizing digital resource trials including evaluation measures
• evaluating physical space for delivering modified services
• collaborating to develop best practices and procedures for staff to deliver contactless modified services
• developing and writing legacy and succession documentation for website development, branding, and common-look-and-feel, and maintenance, ILS best-practices, social media strategies and collateral design and development, collection development and ARPs

Leadership

• leading PDF remediation project to comply with AODA
• supervise Technical Services and ILO staff working remotely
• realign staff tasks in the context of online work and digital collections supporting transition to remote office/home environment
• prioritized equity, inclusion, and accessibility for staff and library users
• review plans and provide innovative and visionary thinking about how to move forward

---

Head: Research and Information Services | King’s University College, Western University Affiliate, London, Ontario | July 2018 – 1-year contract

Accountability

• develop a strong team; the cultivation of effective relations among staff, and the ongoing reinforcement of the Library’s commitment to its customer-focused service objectives
• lead the development of staff training programs; resolves problems relating to staffing, scheduling, procedures and routines; lead in the setting of individual staff members’ goals and objectives
• develop the scope and  service of the Learning Commons; proposes and implements changes to library policy, develop strategic plans and set goals in consultation with Director and Associate Librarian
• plan, develop, deliver, and assess information literacy programs; promote access to resources by promoting and developing subject-specific research guides
• provide in-person, telephone, and email research assistance
• manage library collections for various subject areas
• coordinate the management of the library reserve collection and ensures compliance with Canadian Copyright Act and the principle of fair dealing

Leadership

• collaborate with Associate Librarian in development of projects and cross-team collaboration
• have oversight for delivery and evaluation of library services by staff within context of Library policies and procedures
• practice restorative and servant leadership practices developing support strategies for engaging teams in their roles enriching and expanding their work experiences

Service Provision

• collaborate with instructors to integrate Library Services into course modules and online delivery systems
• design and deliver and assess information literacy and library instructional programs
• evaluate and develop collection
• provide copyright advice and support in consultation with library Director
• market and promote library services to user groups

---

Campus Librarian | Professional Support | Nova Scotia Community College, Annapolis Valley Campus | November 2016 – April 2018 | Contract Position

Accountability

• deliver and evaluate Annapolis Valley Campus Library services
• maintain library space and stack management; contribute on team redesigning space
• ensure delivery of services and standards adhere to and align with Nova Community College Library policies and procedures
• collection development budget and ordering; manage holdings statements; weeding

Leadership

• collaborate with Central Library Services on college-wide and consortia initiatives participating in working groups
• have oversight for delivery and evaluation of library services by staff within context of Library policies and procedures
• through the guiding framework of restorative leadership developed strategies for managing day-to-day roles building on existing communication and support strategies

Service Provision

• collaborate with instructors to integrate Library Services into campus and online programming
• provide traditional and virtual reference services
• design and deliver library and information literacy instructional programs
• evaluate and develop collection
• provide copyright advice and support
• market and promote library services to user groups
• conduct research and manage metadata entries for journal, atlas, and physical antique maps adhering to policy and procedures of the W. K. Morrison Special Collection

---

Instructional and Research Librarian | Faculty | College of the Rockies, Cranbrook, British Columbia | May, 2014 – May 2016

 Information Literacy Skills Development Instruction

• collaborates with library staff and Faculty in the development of a cross-curriculum information literacy skills development program
• designs and delivers constructive learning process in one-shot, multi-pack, and integrated information literacy sessions
• delivers assessment tools for evaluating sessions and programs
• designs and executes an Information Literacy Skill Development strategic plan
• completes two information literacy skills development course integration pre-pilot assessments
• collaborates with core subject faculty to integrate an information literacy skill development program
• delivers integrated information literacy skill development program
• develops e-learning objects – tutorials and online quizzes

 Collection Development

• regularly reviews publishers catalogs and other key selection tools; processing approval books, firm orders, and reviewing gifts following standard procedures in a timely manner
• identifies and reviews electronic resources in subject areas on a regular basis
• routinely weeds and evaluates collection
• completed a print collection assessment, reporting results to the department

Reference

• aligns reference interactions with ACRL and RUSA guidelines; delivers in-depth reference service, both in=person and virtually
• supports colleagues in the development of progressive and student-facing service

Outreach

• collaborates closely with colleagues across departments to define, facilitate and foster transition programs for high school students to participate in college information literacy skills development sessions
• creates strategies for promoting collaborative change in the bridging process
• identifies  perceived gaps  in the research skills of students entering  first-year university
• involves students in the information literacy process  in preparation for post-secondary
• creates institutional awareness and commitment to transitions opportunities
• creates sustainable collaborations between COTR and  local post-secondary institutions
• identifies and works with other groups at institution who are focusing on transition

Liaison

• helps plan and implement the next steps for the development of awareness of research skills among the educational community

---

Branch Librarian, TRU Library Williams Lake Branch | Sessional Faculty | Thompson Rivers University, Williams Lake, British Columbia | August 2013 – April 2014 ( Contract)

• Writing and editing Circulation Manual: Policies and Procedure for Williams Lake Branch with direction from the library Chair
• Overseeing daily library branch operations
• Evaluating and re-configuring library space to offer multi-use areas, active learning spaces, group study rooms, individual study carrels, streaming video presentation centre, and computer lab
• Collecting and analyzing various datasets: reference, circulation, interlibrary loan, reserves, video booking, reference interactions, and library space usage
• Delivering exemplary library service to all users

• Integrating appropriate technologies in library instruction sessions to diverse university user groups: Polling Anywhere, Twitter, Smart Boards, text messaging
• Designing and producing relevant instructional support and follow-up material for all sessions across subject areas
• Designing teaching objects for library assignments, database workshops, and information literacy instruction
• Creating and updating revolving information literacy and student support presentation on continuous feed at the Gathering Place and in library

• Delivering reference support to all library users in-person and in the virtual environment
• Involving diverse university community in respectful and inquiring reference interviews
• Providing access to information in varied and appropriate formats

• Designing and delivering Information, Computer, and Digital Literacy Skill Development Pilot Program
• Team-teaching  workshops on various literacy topics:  citation styles and avoiding plagiarism, research strategies, evaluating sources, library tools and technologies, RefWorks, Internet searching, Google and Google Scholar, online image searching, and social networking technologies (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, blogging)
• Co-authoring Williams Lake Campus Faculty Orientation and Mentorship Moodle
• Authoring TRU Library Resources for Faculty Handbook: Williams Lake Branch
• Designing and creating library-use survey in collaboration with TRU Student Council
• Participating on  various campus committees and councils: Academic Standards and Planning Committee, Recruitment and Retention Committee, Campus Council, and Library Council
• Facilitating blended-learning consultations with faculty and supporting agencies
• Facilitating workshops for faculty on topics such as: Canadian Copyright, Information Literacy Standards (ACRL), using technology in the classroom, online image search
• Maintaining research guides (LibGuides) as necessary to support teaching and learning (Open Access, Google, Graphic Novels, Chicago, MLA, CSA, Social Networking, Freedom To Read, English as a Second or Additional Language)

• Assessing and evaluating branch collection
• Weeding 2500+ items from collection
• Providing  well-maintained accessibility to stacks, relocating shelving, managing shelf space, ensuring accuracy through regular shelf reading
• Planning and executing comprehensive inventory
• Consulting with faculty and Collection Services Librarian to develop a strategic 5-year collection revitalization plan
• Creating new designated collections: Classics, TRU Reads, Oversize, Topical Displays, Writing Centre

---

Instruction and Reference Librarian | Sessional Faculty | Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia | May 2013 – August 2013 ( Contract)
Reference and Instruction Librarian

• Provide face-to-face and virtual reference service
• Complete various projects (designing and preparing a Library Resources for Faculty leaflet, subject tag journals, design and produce professional directional and informational signage, draft library specific signage policy and procedure document)

Sessional Faculty  Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia | August 2011 – April 2012 (Contract) | September 2012 – April 2013 (Contract)

Information Literacy Instruction

• Instructing information literacy sessions to diverse university community
• Designing relevant instructional support and follow-up material for all sessions across subject areas
• Designing teaching objects for library assignments, database workshops, and literacy instruction

• Integrating appropriate technologies in library instruction sessions to diverse university user groups: Turning Point Technologies clickers, Polling Anywhere, Twitter, Smart Boards
• Engaging participants through active learning methodologies based on constructivist pedagogy

Reference Librarian

• Delivering reference support to all library users in-person and in the virtual environment (BC Ask Away, Meebo)
• Involving diverse university community in respectful and inquiring reference interviews
• Participating in planning and developing reference services in a Learning Commons environment
• Providing access to information in varied and appropriate formats

 Projects and Team Contributions

• Designing and creating research guides (LibGuides) as necessary to support learning (Open Access, Google, Graphic Novels, APA, MLA, CSA, Social Networking, Freedom To Read, English as a Second or Additional Language)
• Collaborating with colleagues on various projects including TRU’s Teaching Practices Colloquium poster session and roving reference pre-pilot

• Facilitated weekly reference staff meetings

Collection Development

• Responsible for Animal Health, Nursing, and Psychology subject areas
• Mentored by Collections Manager in the selection of materials

---

Information Fluency Coordinator and Librarian | Sessional Faculty | Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta | August 2010 – June 2011

Information Literacy Instruction

• Incorporated innovative technologies in instruction sessions: Turning Point Technologies clickers, WIMBA, Polling Anywhere, SMART technologies
• Engaged participants through flexible and active learning methodologies
• Instructed information literacy sessions in disciplines including Biology, English as a Second Language, Business Administration, English, Philosophy, Kinesiology, Communications, Social Work, Chemistry, Nursing, Office Administration, Dance, and Theatre Arts
• Integrated aspects of the 7 Principles of Universal Design in instruction sessions and materials
• Designed in-class instruction aligned with Australian Information Literacy Standards
• Consulted with faculty to achieve learning outcomes appropriate with curriculum and assignment requirements
• Created relevant instructional support and follow-up material for all sessions across subject areas
• Designed teaching objects for library assignments, staff training, database workshops, and literacy instruction

Information Fluency Coordinator Responsibilities

• Designed, promoted, and delivered an information fluency program responsive to the needs of the constituents of Red Deer College
• Created and maintained LibGuides supporting subject areas, information literacies, and faculty and staff
• Marketed features, advantages, and benefits of information fluency program to faculty and staff
• Scheduled instruction sessions for a team of information fluency instructors
• Promoted topics of instruction methodologies and design, philosophies, ethics, and technologies to information fluency team.
• Redefined the program’s literacy standards shifting from the Australian Information Literacy Standards to the Association of College & Research Libraries standards, guidelines, proficiencies, and competencies.

Reference Services

• Provided reference support at the Information Desk to all library users in-person and in the virtual environment
• Engaged college community in respectful and inquiring reference interviews
• Provided access to information in formats best suited to the needs of the college member

Teams and Committees

• Lead weekly meetings with information fluency team reviewing program and services, discussing participants’ needs and program successes, reviewing instruction methodologies, pedagogy, strategies, and assessing program development
• Facilitated LibGuide meetings to promote cross-curriculum guide development and progressive strategic planning
• Participated in Strategic Planning Team determining where RDC Library is going over the next few years, directions to take, and assessing strategic outcomes

Subject Liaison

• Liaised for Business, Applied, Natural, and Physical Sciences, Geography, and Law building strong library/faculty relationships
• Reviewed materials for collection development
• Highlighted resources and materials available
• Contacted department representatives conferring on updates, new arrivals, material needs
• Maintained LibGuides with new information, embedded objects, and other relevant  material

Intern Librarian  | University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta | September 2009 – April 2010 | Information Literacy and Library Instruction

• Designed and delivered information literacy classes to undergraduate and graduate students
• Prepared and delivered teaching and learning support materials
• Supported faculty courses with active-learning in-class library information instruction
• Adapted and developed online information literacy instruction tutorial (Tutorial for Info Power) to support Library Learning Services

Reference Services

• Provided reference services at the Information & Research Assistance Desk to all library users – undergraduate, graduate, researchers, faculty, and community
• Employed Meebo to respond to reference inquiries in the virtual environment

---

Library Assistant | University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta  | Coop Student
May 2009 – August 2009

• Assisted librarians to instruct information literacy classes
• Provided reference services at the Information & Research Assistance Desk
• Created Frequently Asked Questions for the ongoing digital archive project
• Researched CONTENTdm web software functions and features for digitizing local newspapers
• Conducted an informal audit of the library website and published a report
• Participated in aspects of the Institutional Repository development

---

Library Assistant | Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Coop Student | September 2008 – December 2008

• Developed an executable Strategic Marketing Plan aligned with an existing Strategic Business Plan
• Instituted focused in-library point-of-service collection display program
• Delivered exemplary client-facing service attending to user needs at the Circulation desk
• Initiated and completed way-finding audit
• Created active content for future intranet web presence

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

• Capable of sourcing and evaluating information resources best suited for meeting information needs in a variety of subject areas for diverse user groups
• Comfortably presents information in a clear and engaging style
• At ease in working with library users one-on-one or in groups, in formal and informal settings
• Comfortable and competent teaching information literacy to various user groups – general public, faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers
• Professional and poised when dialoguing with faculty in support of research, teaching, and scholarship requirements
• Flexible and collegial team member with highly developed interpersonal group skills, responds positively to changes in direction and priorities; takes initiative and works independently as required
• Maintains a flexible attitude toward technology, is eager to learn emerging technology, and has a high tolerance for rapid technology changes

---