All members are appointed for 2 years (aligned with BCLA board terms), with the exception of Board members, who will be replaced as their Board term ends. If members are unable to serve the entire term, vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis using a call for expressions of interest.
Ignacio Albarracin, BCLA Director at Large, Committee Co-chair
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!
Shideh Taleban, Committee Co-chair
Shideh Taleban (she/her) is an experienced library professional who has been living and working on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, since immigrating from Iran in 2019. She earned her second MLIS degree from the University of British Columbia in 2015. Shideh has held various roles in different libraries throughout her career. Currently, she serves as the Library Services Coordinator for Community, Learning, and Access Services at the North Vancouver City Library. Her personal experience as an immigrant and her extensive training in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) enhance her contributions to this committee.
Ann Johannes, BCLA Director at Large
Ann Pathyil-Johannes (she/her) is the Community Development Liaison at Coquitlam Public Library. Ann is responsible for outreach services at the Library, including the mobile library bus and home delivery. Ann sits on the City of Coquitlam’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, is the Library’s representative for the Library Champions program, and is the Chair of the Calls to Action Working Group. As the child of immigrants and as a BIPOC woman, Ann passionately advocates for increased work in highlighting marginalized groups and their stories. Ann also coordinates the Library’s drag story times and annual speaker series addressing racism and prejudice. Ann is delighted to be a new member of the BCLA Board and of the Anti-Racism Committee and looks forward to helping make positive change in the library community and beyond.
Caroline Dick
Caroline Dick (she/her) is the Indigenous Coordinator at the Salt Spring Island Public Library. She is of Tahltan/Irish descent. She is working on decolonizing the library collection, assisting in creating the Indigenous Learning Area, and creating Indigenous focused programs including the new, and very well received, Indigenous Friendship Circle: a drop-in group for islanders of Indigenous descent to socialize, share culture, and skillshare.
Karleen Delaurier-Lyle
Karleen Delaurier-Lyle (she/her) is the Information Services Librarian at Xwi7xwa Library; she is an Indigiqueer Anishinaabe and member of Berens River First Nation. She was born and raised on the unceded territory of the Syilx people.
Kisun Kim
Kisun Kim (she/her) is the Business and Copyright Librarian at Okanagan College. She is a cis-gendered, able-bodied, first-generation Korean Canadian immigrant, who lives and works on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan People, colonially known as Kelowna, British Columbia. Kisun’s LIS experience is primarily in academic libraries, with focus on public services and information literacy instruction. As a woman of colour, Kisun is committed to supporting and uplifting IBPOC voices both within libraries and in her personal life.
Maia Sinegal
Maia Sinegal (she/her) works as a Library Assistant at the Sooke Branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. She is grateful to live and work on the unceded, traditional territory of the T’Sou-ke nation, who take their name from the SENĆOŦEN word for the Stickleback fish that live in the estuary of the river. Maia is relatively new to library work; however, in her three years of service she has been fortunate to be able to channel her passion for safety and DEI work into serving on the JOHS committee and an Employee Resource Group. Maia is an “American” biracial Black woman who has lived in “Canada” for seven years. Her perspective on life and work has been shaped by growing up as a third culture kid and working with animals, food, and customer service. She is delighted to take this opportunity to connect with the wider “BC” library community.
Mar González Palacios, BCLA Director at Large
Mar González Palacios (Mar/Mar’s) 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. Mar is particularly interested in a human-centered approach to management and in building collections that not only expand representation of historically marginalized voices but also gives them back agency. Before coming to SFU, Mar held positions at the Robert B. Haas Arts Library, Yale University, the Canadian Centre for Architecture, and the Burnaby 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 and currently serves on the BCLA Board of Directors and the Governing Board of Érudit, as well as Host Site Officer for BCELN.
Sajni Lacey, BCLA Treasurer
Sajni Lacey (she/her/hers) 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 liaises with the History, Education, English, Cultural Studies, and World Languages and Literatures. Sajni completed her MLIS at the University of Western Ontario, and her BA in History and Psychology from Huron University College. She has recently completed an MA in Education focusing on culturally responsive pedagogy in higher education.
Sunita Lakhanpal
Sunita Lakhanpal (she/her) is a multi-lingual, first generation Canadian who lives and works on the Stó:lō people’s traditional territory. As a Librarian of over 24 years, she is currently located at the Sardis Community Library. Dedicated to her role in promoting Community partnerships, Sunita collaborates with local organizations, creating programs that inform and reflect the growing diversity of the Fraser Valley. She is passionate about libraries, literacy and creating a welcoming environment for all Community members.
Tracey Therrien, BCLA President
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.
Rina Hadziev, BCLA Executive Director (ex officio)
Rina Hadziev (she/her) is the Executive Director of the British Columbia Library Association; she is a white settler who lives and works in Victoria on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Rina has spent over 20 years in library leadership, primarily in public libraries, with a focus on collections, technical services, and accessibility. Rina’s approach to her work is informed by both her professional experiences and her personal experiences growing up in a blue-collar family as the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants. Rina is passionate about advocating for libraries and library workers, and creating opportunities for people to connect, share, and support one another.