The 2023 Nominations Committee for the BCLA Board is chaired by BCLA President Todd Mundle and includes BCLA Board members Tracey Therrien, Donald Taylor, Sarah Felkar, Jorge Cárdenas, Shideh Taleban, and Rina Hadziev (ex officio).

The BCLA Nominations Committee has prepared a slate of candidates for Board positions with terms beginning June 14, 2023.  A strong Board of Directors, committed to the goals of the Association’s Strategic Plan and core values, is essential to the growth and stability of the Association. In considering potential candidates the Nominations Committee considered Board work for the coming year, as well as previous engagement with, and demonstrated commitment to, the Association.

BCLA Nominations Committee Slate of Directors

Incoming President/President (four year term)

Suzanne Rackover (she/her)

Suzanne Rackover has been Director, Library Services + Learning Commons at Langara College since February 2023. Prior to that she was University Librarian at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver (2016-2023), and Manager, Library and Archives (2014-2016) and Art Librarian (2010-2013) at The Banff Centre in Alberta. Suzanne has been actively involved in a variety of professional organizations including being on the Executive Board of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) and co-chairing the Strategic Planning committee, 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.

Incoming Treasurer/Treasurer (two year term)

Sajni Lacey (she/her)

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 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 is currently working on an MA in Education.

Two Director-at-Large positions (each a two year term)

Ignacio Albarracin (he/him)

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!

Saara Itkonen (she/her)

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.

Call for Additional Nominations

In accordance with BCLA past practise, this announcement is an opportunity to call for additional nominations for these positions on the BCLA Board.

Nominations can be submitted via the online nomination form. A nominee must be a member of BCLA, and their nomination must be supported by three other BCLA Members. In the event of multiple candidates for open Board positions BCLA will mount an election. Nominations for Board positions must be completed and submitted by May 22, 2023.

If you are interested in applying for a BCLA Board position and would like more information, please contact Rina Hadziev, Executive Director using the subject line: BCLA Board Position.

Thank you on behalf of the 2023 BCLA Nominations Committee.