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2024-2025 Board of Directors

Headshot of Tracey Therrien BCLA President (2023-2025)

President (2023-2025)

Tracey Therrien

About Tracey

Pronouns: she/her
Nelson Public Library

Tracey Therrien is the Chief Librarian at the Nelson Public Library, on the unceded ancestral territories of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa Nations. She came to library work later in life. After rediscovering the magic of public libraries while living and working in Montreal, she returned to BC and completed a Library & Information Technician diploma. Since then, she has been fortunate to work in four public libraries as a Chief Librarian in varied and beautiful rural-regions in BC. Along the way she completed a Master of Library and Information Studies, and served on multiple boards, including eight-years with the BC Libraries Cooperative. Tracey is interested in exploring ways to improve and support equitable access to information and striving to ensure Libraries are a welcoming space for all. She feels privileged to sit on the BCLA board working, engaging and learning from BCLA members on how best to uphold these values.

Headshot of Suzanne Rackover BCLA's Incoming President

Incoming President

Suzanne Rackover

About Suzanne

Pronouns: she/her
Langara College

Suzanne Rackover has been Director, Library & Academic Success Centre, and CAPER-BC at Langara College since February 2023. Prior to that she was University Librarian at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver (2016-2023). Suzanne has been actively involved in a variety of professional organizations and consortia including being on the board of the BC Libraries Co-op, the Executive Board of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA), and two terms as President of the Council of Post Secondary Library Directors of BC (CPSLD). Originally from Montreal, Suzanne completed a Master of Library and Information Studies from McGill University and a Bachelor and Master of Art History from Concordia University.

Sajni Lacey Headshot

Treasurer

Sajni Lacey

About Sajni

Pronouns: she/her
UBC Okanagan Library

Sajni Lacey is the Learning and Curriculum Support Librarian at UBC Okanagan. Originally from the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Chonnonton Nations, in what is now known as London, Ontario, Canada, and now resides on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territory of the Syilx Okanagan Peoples, in what is now known as Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Her work focuses on leading and coordinating the first-year instructional program in the Library, as well as liaising with the History, Education, English, Cultural Studies, and World Languages and Literatures Departments. Sajni completed her MA in Education at UBC Okanagan, MLIS at the University of Western Ontario, and her BA in History and Psychology from Huron University College.

Headshot of BCLA Incoming Treasurer /Treasurer-Elect Ann Johannes

Incoming Treasurer /Treasurer-Elect

Ann Johannes

About Ann

Pronouns: she/her
Coquitlam Public Library

Ann Johannes is the Community Development Liaison at the Coquitlam Public Library (CPL). In that role, she oversees all the outreach for CPL, including the mobile library bus and home delivery service. In addition, Ann sits on a number of community tables as well as three internal working groups within CPL – Calls to Action, Wellness and DEI. Her strong community development focus has increased CPL’s presence at community events and strengthened relationships with community partners. In her “past” life, Ann was a Chartered Accountant and an implementation consultant for a large software company. She was also Treasurer for a non-profit for 4 years as well as Treasurer at her children’s high school, which she also did for 4 years. Ann loves accounting almost as much as she loves reading.

Headshot of Ignacio Albarracin, BCLA Director

Director (2nd year of 2-year term)

Ignacio Albarracin

About Ignacio

Pronouns: he/him
College of New Caledonia

Father | Husband | Argentine by birth | Texan in exile | Canadian work in progress | Devotee of Lionel Messi

Having immigrated twice, first to the US and now to Canada, and relocated across North America multiple times, my perspective is always that of an outsider. Serendipity brought me into the world of libraries after a brief dalliance with intelligence and national security. I care about humanity and take a progressive yet pragmatic approach to making the world a better place. The middle way typically appeals to me more than the extremes, but I acknowledge that we all need a good nudge occasionally. My current place of work is the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC, where I serve as the Director of the Learning Commons and Academic Success Centre. Previous employers include DC Public Library, San Antonio Public Library, and Prince George Public Library. Visca Barça!

Headshot of Saara Itkonen, BCLA Director

Director (2nd year of 2-year term)

Saara Itkonen

About Saara

Pronouns: she/her
Creston Valley Public Library

Saara Itkonen is the current Library Director of Creston Valley Public Library, in the Kootenays, and has worked as a librarian for the past 13 years.  Previous to her position in Creston, she spent over 8 years as a Children’s & Teen Librarian at Vancouver Public Library.  Saara is passionate about working in public libraries and using her role to help promote the values of community care, relational work, interdependency, and resiliency both with her staff, patrons, and the broader community.  She brings the experience of working within a large urban library system and a smaller rural library to her work on the BCLA board.  Saara lives in Creston with her partner, her 7 year old child, and their dog and cat.

Headshot of Mar Gonza?lez Palacios, BCLA Director

Director (1st year of 2-year term)

Mar González Palacios

About Mar

No pronouns: Mar/Mar’s
SFU Library

Mar González Palacios is the Associate Dean of Libraries, Collections & Content Strategy at Simon Fraser University. Mar is a member of the Library’s senior management team and is responsible for providing leadership in collections management. Before coming to SFU, Mar was Associate Director, Special Collections at the Robert B. Haas Arts Library, Yale University and, previously, was Head of Collection Access at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. Earlier positions include work at SFU, Burnaby Public Library and Vancouver Public Library. Mar holds an MLIS from the University of British Columbia, a BFA in studio art from Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and BArch from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Mar has been an active member of several professional organizations. Mar’s service includes BCLA’s Information Policy Committee and the Boards of the Art Libraries Society of North America and the Association of Architecture School Librarians.

Headshot of Sarah Tarcea, BCLA Director

Director (1st year of 2-year term)

Sarah Tarcea

About Sarah

Pronouns: she/her
North Vancouver City Library

I am a member of the Métis Nation BC and grew up on the shared territories of the Kwantlen, Wsanec, Sto-lo, Katzie, and Semiahmoo people (Langley). My ancestors hail from Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the Métis homeland in Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg). I received my Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia in 2012 and I currently work at the North Vancouver City Library as the Manager of Public Services. I have a strong professional interest in inclusive library services, spaces and workplaces, as well as in decolonization. I greatly value the opportunity to serve our professional community as part of the BCLA Board of Directors.

headshot of Sarah Felkar, BCLA Director

Director (1 year Presidential appointment)

Sarah Felkar

Headshot of Roen Janyk, BCALS Chair

BCALS Chair

Roën Janyk

About Sarah

Pronouns: she/her
BC Libraries Cooperative

Sarah Felkar is the Interim Executive Director of the BC Libraries Cooperative, on sabbatical from her role as the Assistant Director at the West Vancouver Memorial Library where she has worked in a variety of roles since 2008. Her career so far has focused on promoting and providing digital literacy education and leading digital equity initiatives, as well as advocating for ebooks, digital audiobooks, and technology collections. More recently she has begun acting as the privacy officer for her library.  Sarah served as a BCLA director-at-large for the 2014-2016 term, and has also served as the BC Libraries Cooperative’s BC Business Licensing Function Group’s chair, co-chair of the former BCLA LTA Interest Group in 2011, and has also been an active member in the Public Libraries Interest Group. When not at work, Sarah runs Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, knits and spends time with her partner and an aloof cat watching sports.

About Roën

Pronouns: she/her
Okanagan College

Roën Janyk is currently the Interim Director of Library Services at Okanagan College, located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan People.  She has worked in public and academic libraries for almost 20 years. Her previous roles include Kelowna Campus Librarian and the College’s Digital Systems & Services Librarian. She has also worked with Okanagan Regional Library as a Sunday Youth Services Librarian for the past 12 years. Roën’s passions lie in reducing barriers to education, supporting student success in educational pursuits, advocating for open and low barrier learning resources, and promoting the importance of literacy from infancy to adulthood. She has worked on projects with BCcampus, served on committees with BCELN, and been involved with BCLA in a number of capacities over the years. She feels libraries are vital to supporting early literacy and ensuring people have the digital literacy skills necessary to be responsible digital citizens. Libraries are vital to supporting communities that are engaged, informed, and free to grow their minds. She lives in Kelowna, B.C. and spends her time trying to manage two small humans, a partner, two dogs, a cat, and a horse.

Headshot of Emily Gow, YAACS Chair

YAACS Chair

Emily Gow

Headshot of RIna Hadziev, BCLA Executive Director

Recording Secretary (ex officio, non-voting)

Rina Hadziev

About Emily

Pronouns: she/her
Vancouver Public Library

About Rina

Pronouns: she/her
BCLA Executive Director

I am a white settler who lives and works in Victoria on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. I’ve spent over 20 years in public library leadership with a focus on collections, technical services, and accessibility, although I’ve done a wide variety of library work including public services and programming for all ages. I’m passionate about advocating for libraries and library workers, and ensuring all people have equitable access to information, ideas, and works of the imagination. My approach to my work is informed by both my professional experiences and my personal experiences growing up in a blue-collar family as the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants.

Past BCLA Presidents

  • 2021-2022; 2022-2023 Todd Mundle
  • 2019-2021 Chris Middlemass
  • 2018-2019 Shirley Lew
  • 2017-2018 Anne Olsen
  • 2016-2017 Daphne Wood
  • 2015-2016 Caroline Daniels
  • 2014-2015 Heather Buzzell
  • 2013-2014 Gwen Bird
  • 2012-2013 June Stockdale
  • 2011-2012 Christopher Kevlahan
  • 2010-2011 Marjorie Mitchell
  • 2009-2010 Kenneth Cooley
  • 2008-2009 Lynne Jordon
  • 2007-2008 Deb Thomas
  • 2006-2007 Inba Kehoe
  • 2005-2006 Melanie Houlden
  • 2004-2005 Diana Guinn
  • 2003-2004 Alison Nussbaumer
  • 2002-2003 Carol Elder
  • 2001-2002 Carol Elder
  • 2000-2001 Julie Spurrell
  • 1999-2000 Sybil Harrison
  • 1998-1999 Greg Buss
  • 1997-1998 Frieda Wiebe
  • 1996-1997 Ron Clancy
  • 1995-1996 Nancy Levesque
  • 1994-1995 Leonora Crema
  • 1993-1994 Gordon Ray
  • 1992-1993 Sylvia Crooks
  • 1991-1992 Nancy Hannum
  • 1990-1991 Paul Whitney
  • 1989-1990 Paula Pick
  • 1988-1989 Brian Owen
  • 1987-1988 Linda Kabush
  • 1986-1987 Linda Hale
  • 1985-1986 Jack Mounce
  • 1984-1985 Garth Homer/Margaret Friesen
  • 1983-1984 Margaret Friesen
  • 1982-1983 Harry Newsom
  • 1981-1982 Maureen Willison
  • 1980-1981 Mary Beth MacDonald
  • 1979-1980 James C. Scott
  • 1978-1979 Ron Willey
  • 1977-1978 Fred White
  • 1976-1977 William Watson
  • 1975-1976 John Backhouse
  • 1974-1975 Donald W. Miller
  • 1973-1974 Margaret Burke
  • 1972-1973 Delburt Affleck
  • 1971-1972 Robert Harris
  • 1970-1971 Sheila MacDonald
  • 1969-1970 Joy Scudamore
  • 1968-1969 Anna Leith
  • 1967-1968 Aileen Tufts
  • 1966-1967 Enid Dearing
  • 1965-1966 Dean W. Halliwell
  • 1964-1965 Lois Bewley
  • 1963-1964 Theodora Rhodes
  • 1962-1963 Doreen Fraser
  • 1961-1962 Jack C. R. Lort
  • 1960-1961 Dorothy E. Salisbury
  • 1959-1960 Samuel Rothstein
  • 1958-1959 Peter Grossman
  • 1957-1958 Robert L. Davison
  • 1956-1957 Muriel Laing
  • 1955-1956 Margaret Brunette
  • 1954-1955 Anne B. Berry
  • 1953-1954 Ronald Ley
  • 1952-1953 Thressa A. Pollock
  • 1951-1952 Marjorie B. Sing
  • 1950-1951 Eleanor B. Mercer