CLA Conference 2011: A Reflection

In the whirlwind of change that defines the library profession, it seemed more than appropriate to attend the CLA Annual Conference at a time when they are making tremendous revisions to their bottom line.  Wearing many hats including that of  a department head for an LIT program, librarian, former technician, and instructor, I ventured to Halifax this spring for an eye-opening experience.

MacDonald Bridge view from the Citadel in Halifax.

Having a library conference against the backdrop of a lovely city, filled with incredible (and often tragic) history and old-world pubs certainly has its allure.  The conference itself was held in a very efficiently designed trade and convention centre in the heart of town.  I could appreciate the no-frills style of the conference in light of the tremendous financial pressures the Association has been wrestling with.  Yet, lunch was provided in the trade show and there was definitely a buzz there as people from across the country enjoyed casual chit-chat and trolled the trade show booths.


CLA made some notable changes to its structure by reducing the executive and eliminating divisions and interest groups to make way for "networks".  These networks are intended to be grass-roots focused where 10 or more members sign a petition for creation, appoint a moderator and develop a terms of reference.  Funding will be based on an as-needed basis for projects and these networks can encompass any area of interest.  Although it will be some time before the results of such changes are measurable, it is an attempt to restructure the organization so that it is more inclusive.  I do wonder, however, if it is enough to garner wider support and participation when CLA has ignored the interests of library support staff and the wide range of library workers for so long.  I do not want to dismiss the significance of the population weight in Central Canada and national issues that require the Association's attention but there is a sentiment that the Association has not spent enough energy tending to the needs of its members or would-be members.  This attitude appears to be shifting as necessity forces the CLA to look at it sliding membership  and revenue issues.

Inside Alexander Keith's Brewery selling the infamous India Pale Ale

The increasingly sophisticated library landscape suggests that national representation and improved communication between provinces, provincial associations, library workers of all types and educational programs is imperative.  At the "town hall" meeting to discuss CLA's changes, one participant noted that the lack of academic discourse through a scholarly journal is problematic.  He voiced his frustration that all CLA has to offer members, by way of publications, is the "gossipy" news and events piece,  Feliciter.  He suggested that resurrecting a more scholarly publication, may give CLA a more credible and weighty standing in the greater library community and foster empirical research from budding library folks.  I could not help but also mention the need for a greater willingness to listen to the needs of non-librarians and, while the new CLA mission statement is more inclusive, there is much work that still needs to be done.

With apprehension, I attended the latest session discussing RDA (Resource Description and Access) and its next steps towards global implementation.  We were also carefully walked through the general practice of cataloguing using all of the RDA chapters.  Three things became abundantly clear to me at that time.  One, there are some interesting and rather worthy changes made to the way one looks at cataloguing.  Two, the task of cataloguing, despite RDA efforts to simplify, will be grossly more complex. Three, no one could tell me WHO was going to EDUCATE the educators (beyond a half day workshop) the intricacies of the new tool or WHO was going to PAY for curriculum re-design and staff training required.  When Chris Oliver, presenter and ardent RDA supporter, responded to my concerns with an admission that it was somewhat of a "miracle" RDA had made it this far, I took it as an omen.  One cannot develop new catalogue practice that drastically transforms the way work is performed on a "miracle".  The complete lack of consultation with those who must actually perform most cataloguing duties will greatly inhibit the success of this endeavor. I walked away from the session intrigued by some of RDA's qualities but also frustrated at not really having any better sense of precisely how one is going to catalogue - the nitty gritty.   As someone who teaches library staff to CATALOGUE, I continue to wonder who is going to teach me?

Another interesting session was that of a plan to take the Library Association of Alberta's Certification of Library Staff to the national level.  Having begun preliminary work with the American Library Association and their certification program for library support staff, I was keen to know if this was  a better solution.  The fact that the coordinators of this program were unaware of the ALA initiative, an ill-defined costing of the program and the lack of auditory control for certification, suggests that there is much work to be done if such a program were to have teeth in Canada.  Again, I wondered why library educators were not included in the discussions around such a program.  Their experience and perspectives could provide valuable insights into such initiatives as we are acutely familiar with the process of program review, outcomes assessment, curricular development and so on.  I am hopeful that questions from participants inspired the developers to investigate some of these issues.

Amidst these sessions, I did have the wonderful opportunity to meet with other LIT program instructors and heads, connect with some of my colleagues from all corners and examine some great poster session presentations.  One noteworthy one was focused on professional ethics.  Since I have been trying to infuse ethic discussions in most courses, I am eager to see what headway is made in this area.   In the end, there was a great deal more for me to follow up on when I returned.

I completed my session activities with a disheartening and mind boggling update on Access Copyright and copyright legislation revisions.  The session was incredibly helpful in re-igniting my concerns for our information freedoms in the not-so-distant-future.  I encourage everyone to keep one eye trained on Access Copyright and the Copyright Board because these two forces have undeniable power and influence with very few reasons to look out for the interests of libraries.  For Access Copyright, the increasing use of databases and other digital media means that libraries are somehow skirting paying for reproduction rights.  Indeed, HYPERLINKING to digital media appears to be a problem for Access Copyright.  The fact that many libraries now provide digital access to licensed databases appears to be a poorly understood practice by Access Copyright and they are seeking blood - well, really, money.  We were cautioned that public libraries may be AC's next target.  I felt chills....

The 2011 CLA Conference provided me with new and interesting insights that frequently surprised me.  While I will continue to observe the effects of the recent constitutional and leadership changes to the organization, I fear that we, collectively, continue to think that simply having good ideas negates the need to perform the often laborious, time-consuming, but incredibly necessary, work of substantiating our projects with evidence-based research and consultation.  On the other hand, library professionals accomplish a great deal with diminishing resources.  Returning to a peer reviewed and professionally minded journal might be the perfect forum for inspiring us to expect more of one another.

Librarianship As An Academic Discipline?

Librarianship has been treated as a practice-based profession.  Programs are designed around the practical applications of "doing" library work.  Yet, in a world where there is increasing emphasis on information as a key to economic, social and political success, there may be a need to pull apart the issues that shape librarianship and examine them from an academic angle. 

There are numerous issues related to the profession of librarianship that are worthy of examination beyond a two year Master's or Diploma program.  Indeed, within those two year programs students can be titillated by the interesting problems and prospects that new technology and information use present.  However, there is little time for exploration.  Certainly, once one becomes a practitioner, there is little time to reflect on the broader aspects of the field.   It is a common complaint among busy librarians and there is great frustration in trying to make informed decisions when there is little time to discuss and reflect on long term consquences.  Greater discourse is needed and although this can occur at conferences, discussion boards, blogs, and lists, there is room for more research and debate in post secondary institutions. In turn, those forums can supply the industry with inspired, engaged and active participants that may be better positioned to move back and forth between academic study and practice.

The current situation is troubling because there is a tremendous amount of change in how people use and manage information and library workers are often the ones who observe these changes.  As a result, they have some valuable opinions, experience and advice that may enhance how the broader community adopts technology and change.  Those who work in information centres have first-hand knowledge of how publishing, emerging technologies, and user search behaviours intersect.  There is a tremendous opportunity to share this knowledge with other disciplines and communities.  As the ground shifts beneath us, it becomes clear that there is a profound interconnectedness between information and change.  There is room for information studies to more actively partake in the discussions held by the academy of higher education.

In other disciplines, there is an avenue where academic discourse can occur and develop through formally recognized academic programs.   Most professions enjoy a continuum of study that can begin at a certificate or diploma level and move through undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs.  Librarianship does not enjoy this direct path of observation, exploration, discussion and reflection.  There are programs that look at information management at the undergraduate level but many of these are centred around other, more specific disciplines including business and computer information systems.  While there is nothing wrong with such programs, there is another outlet of study that has not been fully addressed.  Many disciplines will look at ethics, research methods, and even internet searching but there is a large hole where examination of issues around librarianship are not well explored.  And, although many of these issues and themes affect information work, they also have an affect on many other members of society - non "library" types.  For example, course work at the undergraduate level that looks at the nuances of intellectual property is not only compelling because the laws around this are in flux but also because everyone who uses information can be affected by both the laws and conventions around it.  The information studies context looks at such topics through the lens of practice and can offer a perspective that is valuable to students of every ilk.

Charles Sturt University in Australia has one of the few examples of a Bachelor in Information Studies.  Schools like Ontario's Mohawk College go so far as to present this as a viable option for library tech graduates since the program is a part time distance program.  Although this is a respectable option for those looking for a bridge to a Master's program, there is a great deal of room for further academic review.  The Charles Sturt example continues to show a preference for the applied aspects of information work.  While this has value, there is an opportunity for expanding the field into more academic circles.  This, in turn, would spawn new interest in the qualitative and quantitative research behind the use of information, its creation, management, and uses.

The applied nature of librarianship will always be central to those working in information centres but there is also room for more academic discourse at all levels of the post secondary system.  This expansion would provide greater opportunities for discussion and research among other fields of studies to enhance our understanding of our changing world.

Prompting Some Discussion

Recently, the Atlantic Provinces Library Association posted an article that I submitted in an attempt to spurn on some discussion about our future. 

 “Wanting to be a librarian because you like books is like wanting to be a cop because you like guns” is a recent tweet from, David Lankes, Associate Professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies and Director of the Information Institute of Syracuse (2010). This simple comment evokes a number of complex realizations and affirmations. Many will agree that to perform the work expected of information professionals, a love of one media format is not a prerequisite...

The discussion continues at:  Changing the Way We Look at Ourselves  APLA Bulletin Volume 74 » Issue 2 - December 2010

Finding Solace in a Stagnant Economy

It is often only when we look back on events that we find clarity. As we wade through a sluggish and uncertain economy, we wonder what prospects our future holds.  Even if we are fortunate enough to have a "secure" job, we are aware of a constant pressure to tread cautiously.  Rocking the boat, might rock our budgets.  Whether it is shrinking resources or expanding ones, the process of working through change is probably more important than the ultimate outcome.

Recently, through casual conversations, students have voiced their concerns about their employment prospects.  Like other support services, information work rarely generates direct and measurable revenue, in the short term.  This has been the source of much angst in the profession as librarians and their staff struggle to quantify the positive impact of their work.  Prospective grads would just like to know if the future is viable.  Unfortunately, it depends on one`s outlook.  This is partly because there are so many interpretations of  "information" work and what it means to be a librarian.

To believe that libraries are quiet spaces, lined with books and reticent staff is to fall prey to fiction.  Those that already work in the field understand this.  What challenges us, as information professionals, is the shifting context that shapes our work environment.  We design, develop and deploy services in a world full of uncertainties and technological change.  When the GDP sinks and people stop making purchases, our confidence in the future ebbs.  Yet, the world does not come to a grinding halt and people continue to have needs, including a need for information that is meaningful and, therefore, useful.

It might be wise to stop wringing our hands fussing about our usefulness as a profession and simply assert ourselves as experts and developing ways of educating members of our communities of what we can do for them.  If we do so, we may have to forgo our titles.  We may actually have to stop arguing about what makes a "librarian" or an "information technician" and focus on the skills and attitudes that we hold as people who work with information on a constant basis. It is also not helpful to make a simple shopping list of what services we provide. Celebrating our accomplishments is a validating and necessary activity but we must be very careful not to think that this assures us of a stable or predictable future. Recently, the Kentucky Library Association published "The Role of Public Libraries and Their Future" by Uma Doraiswamy (2010).  Essentially, Doraiswamy remains optimistic about the role of the public library because of the variety of functions it currently performs.  Unfortunately, today's success is NOT a predictor of future success and, at any time, these services can be undermined by a variety of forces beyond our immediate control.  Our success is dependent on recognizing that change is constant.  The desire to stick to the status quo is one of enormous consequence.  Thus, there is a tension in the field where some folks want what they had and struggle with letting go of past practice while others embrace a future that looks at redefining our roles.
It is possible that library schools and tech programs do not spend enough time examining the actual goal of librarianship.  Is it to provide people with information? Look beyond this.  It is to provide people with the opportunity to learn and become knowledgeable.  In the 21st century, this practice is dependent on technology.  Yet, this technology is rapidly changing.  However, we can not allow ourselves to be distracted from our goal.  James Duderstadt, President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering  at the University of Michigan, astutely points out that, "It is certainly the case that futurists have a habit of overestimating the impact of new technologies in the near term and underestimating them over the longer term." (p. 223).  In fact, he describes the library as the "poster child of the IT revolution" and they may be an ideal place to observe how people really learn (p. 220).  There is recognition, in some corners of the profession , that despite the changes libraries and information centres must face, there is an interesting future before us.  How we respond to this reality will define our success.  Lamenting over days gone by will get us nowhere.

Although Deborah Jakubs speaks specifically to the situation of research libraries, she makes a valid, broader point when she writes, "Rather than being defensive about "threats" to the traditional position of libraries, we should tout the advantages of the contemporary research library. There may be more than one information "game" in town, but ours has plenty to offer" (p. 244).  In other words, we must accept the fact that the services we offer may not belong only to our profession but we do have an excellent foundation to build our future.  It may be that library schools and other, related programs will have to do more to adapt to the changing demands of our communities but this does not mean that there is not work to be done.

Indeed, from my experiences providing students with experiential learning through field placements, I have discovered that new sites delight in the skills they see from our students.  Many of these would not be described as "traditional" library environments.  Libraries are not the only places where information is amassed, stored, accessed and used.  Media sources, records management offices, health networks, non-profit support services, and corporate offices all struggle to manage the "data deluge".  Students of information studies are in a prime position to guide our communities through the confusing and technologically focused future we face.  The skills required for this may be shifting but this is another challenge many of us are prepared to take on.

So, if you are fearful of our future, don`t be.  Embrace the challenges and take ownership over your future and, most importatnly, get engaged.  Promote your skills, lead and inform those who do not understand the field. Be confident.  Be competitive.  When people aren't out spending their shrinking disposable incomes, they are seeking other ways to better their lot in life.  We help them do it.  We can be powerful. And, in fact, we are.

Cited Sources


Doraiswamy, U. (2010). The role of public libraries and their future. Kentucky Libraries, 74(2), 22-25. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.


Duderstadt, J. (2009). Possible Futures for the Research Library in the 21st Century. Journal of Library Administration, 49(3), 217-225. doi:10.1080/01930820902784770


Jakubs, D. (2008). Out of the Gray Times: Leading Libraries into the Digital Future. Journal of Library Administration, 48(2), 235-248. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.

Amazing People. Amazing Weekend. LIBIT Reunites in a Big Way.

Since the program's 25th anniversary, 5 years ago, the Library Tech department has wanted to celebrate this achievement.  Really celebrate. With the introduction of a properly funded Alumni Relations office, we were finally able to dream big.  Members of the LIBIT department know, on a personal level, how life-changing our program really is because we are ALL alumni of the program!  We were delighted to have the opportunity to share the accomplishments of our alumni and our program in a heartfelt way.

We wanted to offer attendees a chance to socialize but we also wanted to provide some professional development opportunities.  The increasing expectations for most library technicians gave us inspiration to present workshops and team building activities that centred on leadership.  The remarkable changes to UFV infrastructure was inspiration for offering campus tours, too!

The picture to your right is a snapshot of our wine and cheese reception on the Friday night in the library foyer.  Guest speakers included:  Provost and Vice President Academic, Eric Davis, President of the Alumni Association, Tony Luck, LIBIT Alum Julia Vanberkel and Terry Lynne Stone, storyteller and Member of the UFV Board. 

Geocaching Adventure at Aldergrove Lake

Our goal, that evening, was to pay homage to our ambassadors - our program grads.  It was a delight to exchange "hellos", reconnect, share stories and laugh, all while enjoying a glass of wine and some lovely food.

Bright and early the next morning, a group of alumni gathered at Aldergrove Lake for their Guided Discovery adventure.  It was a riot!  We hunted for lost treasure while competing (in a friendly way, of course) to solve a mystery using teams equipped with a GPS.  Geocacher Jones (front right) was there to lead the way.

Leading With Story

Others, that morning, attended a workshop with Margaret Read MacDonald, accomplished scholar and folklorist,  where participants practiced and participated in "Leading with Story".  Of course, there is nothing like finishing off a busy day with a nice and informal dinner  where some of the rowdiest attendees were current and former LIBIT faculty and staff.

President's Breakfast

On Sunday, the President of UFV, Mark Evered, hosted a lovely breakfast.  He shared with us his views on the importance of information studies, its connection to learning as well as the exciting activities and ambitions of UFV. Of course, he could not help but share our pride in UFV being noted as providing the best undergraduate education in Canada for a school of our size (for the 4th year running).  


The value of alumni was reinforced on many occasions during the weekend and the message was sincere.  Our LIBIT alumni have a profound impact within their communities.  Lisa Morry, for example, is a grad of the program who has worked with the First Nations community of Chilliwack to produce a display depicting the legacy of Residential Schools. As reported in the Chilliwack Progress, her contribution is part of  the first steps in exploring the trauma of these schools.

With dozens of guests the weekend was a huge success, for the Library and Information Technology department, Alumni Relations Office, UFV, and all of our wonderful graduates and current students. A special thanks goes to Alumni Services and all of our dedicated volunteers for the huge effort they made in pulling off this event.

Some of us celebrating at the Phoenix Lounge for a friendly dinner.

Taking it all in: 30 years of teaching and..learning!

Consumed by the details of daily life, we are sometimes surprised by time's relentless march.  It is amusing to think of how slowly a summer passes for a bored 10 year old and how quickly that same summer whizzes by for his/her parents.  For the Library and Information Technology Program at UFV, there is a constant tension between what must be done with what has been done. Time moves swiftly and so does the technology!

Instructor, program developer, librarian, mentor, and leader, Pat Sifton was the driving force behind the development of the diploma in its early days.  Her drive and fundamental understanding of teaching and learning continues to influence the direction of the program.

Although the program has maintained its focus on the process of building knowledge, the challenge to maintain a program that is consistent with technological change remains constant.  Tools and information sources have shifted formats numerous times over the life of the program.  The shift from manual typewriters, carbon copies, print indexes, and microform to web based databases, scanners and an endless stream of user applications has kept the program in a perpetual state of evolution.  

So, while we celebrate the hundreds of graduates that have walked to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance", clutching their crisp new diplomas, we also celebrate the balancing act of the program's instructors.  These instructors have successfully wrestled with change, introducing new concepts and technologies while reinforcing the value of standards and past practice.

Students of the program continue to be some of the most dedicated learners at UFV, delighting instructors in departments across the institution.  Program students have repeatedly won awards and recognition for their achievements including Dean's medals, writing awards and a myriad of scholarships.  The highly interdisciplinary nature of library studies means that students become something more than just "tech" students - they become passionate students of knowledge.

All of those who have been involved in the delivery of this program have been profoundly affected by the students, the institution, their colleagues and their predecessors.  After seven years at UFV, Christina Neigel maintains that, “It’s been a challenge but it has been a really, really rewarding experience.”  Jan Lashbrook Green says, “Teaching here at UFV, and despite all the work involved, nothing could be better for me.”  Tim Atkinson recalls, “The years teaching at UFV, were the most fun teaching years of my life.  The students were fun, engaging, involved.  It was a great experience.”  Kim Isaac states it best when she says, “To this day we’re still reaping the legacy that Pat has set the foundation for.  She set up a really strong foundation and high standards for the faculty, the program and the students.”

We formally celebrate 30 years October 1 - 3, 2010 at the Abbotsford campus of UFV. We hope to see you there!

An ALA Experience - Washington D.C.

The American Library Association Annual Conference, 2010

There is nothing quite like attending a conference where thousands of library folk converge against the backdrop of a beautiful city. As I made my way between sessions and museums, I would play a little game of "guess who is a librarian?". The odds are very good when there are over 20, 000 registered attendees swarming the city.

This conference confirms my belief that only a small portion of any conference is about the sessions. There is, truly, only so much one can learn in a two hour session. On the other hand, there is a lot to be learned by chatting with other attendees, exhibitors, vendors and organizers. The most enlightening experiences seem to manifest from casual conversations where like-minded souls seek an opportunity to discuss their passions and interests. This is how I discovered that many of the feelings and disjointed ideas that circle within the confines of my own mind are actually shared by a variety of others.

This kind of experience inspires and rejuvenates in a way that cannot be easily duplicated through other forms of professional development. It is not so much about learning new content or theories as it is about learning to measure your own, personal experiences against the experience of complete strangers. Through this process it becomes quickly evident that the world is much like a house of mirrors, reflecting things in a variety of perspectives that will simultaneously amuse, disturb and surprise.

It was a delight to atttend a conference that is all about how to support the public's need for self-actualization in a city that symbolizes liberty and self-determination. All cynicism aside, it was amazing to attend sessions that explore concepts of intellectual freedom, literacy, and technology and then venture out into the oppressive heat to see the Library of Congress in all of its glory and explore the many Smithsonian museums, free of charge. As a humble Canadian, I could not help but feel envious of American patriotism. They celebrate their accomplishments with such pride and passion that, despite our own somewhat jaded views, is remarkable. Make no mistake, I noted many "interesting" interpretations of world history when it did not directly relate to American history. For example, an eager docent at one of the Smithsonian museums eagerly explained to his audience how "Canadians" burned down the White House and the Capitol buildings in 1812. It did not seem that important to mention that the British had a rather large role to play in that particular event...

Nevertheless, there is an enormous amount of history in D.C. that makes it a completely worthwhile place to visit. For library folk, it is a city that not only represents the aspiration of creating an informed citizenry but it also pays homage to early American visionaries and leaders who sought out ways to make this vision feasible. It is a place where you can examine early American documents and artifacts while weighing them against a modern picture of America. Above all, it is a city that has inspired this librarian to carefully reflect on the future role libraries.

While trying to squeeze in visits to every museum and monument along the National Mall, I struggled to balance my time at the ALA conference. I had plenty of opportunities to select my sessions in advance of the conference but I had no idea there was so much to do at the conference. The magnitude of the event was hard to envision beforehand, having been a regular at many smaller conferences. Yet, many of the session topics were not dissimilar to those seen at other venues. There were just more of them. For example, the general feeling was that we, as library workers, continue to devise new ways to make our institutions relevant. We struggle to integrate technological change in meaningful ways that are genuinely helpful to those we serve. It would be refreshing to have some open and controversial sessions on what we need to do better. Many of my colleagues have snidely remarked that library conferences tend to be about "what we did good in our library".

There is a notable absence of discussion on what we do not do well. Through my discussions with various librarians, it is clear that there are a great number of us who continue to be concerned about the division of labour in our workplaces and a lack of authentic leadership. For instance, it is unsettling to think that those revising our cataloguing standards do not seem to feel the need to consult with those who actually catalogue (national libraries aside). It may be that we are being "led" to a trough of new standards which few practitioners fully understand. Our field lacks a collective voice that has notable influence with our various governments. We rely heavily on our library members to defend our relevancy. Although this is critically important to the continuation of libraries, I wonder where our existing and upcoming library leaders are.

As intellectual property continues to gain importance as a commodity in the global marketplace, our position as knowledge builders must be clearly understood by policy makers. Historically, this work has been done by local and national library organizations. Those organizations are grappling with decreasing memberships. Who, then, will challenge the corporate machine? Who will ask the difficult questions? Who will defend our budgetary needs? For this reason, we need conferences to expand their offerings to examine these very large issues. Without such discourse, we remain ignorant and rudderless when we attempt to navigate our future.

The 2010 ALA Conference was a fantastic opportunity to intersect with a variety of very interesting people. It solidified several of my own perceptions about the field of practice, confirmed many suspicions, stimulated some some new ideas, taught me a thing or two about library processes and provided me with a unique opportunity to see a lovely city. The bizarre and, strangely, intriguing Drill Cart Competition will be forever burned into my mind. And, finally, there is nothing more fun than attending the Caldecott and Newberry Award banquet when you are a children`s librarian at heart.

Petty and trite as it seems, it is now fun to re-read Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol and think, "I saw that in person and there is just no way..."