Alternative Library Careers Panel
Join us for a panel presentation featuring Laurie Davidson, Tara Robertson, Krista Boehnert, and Lisa Hoskins as they share their library origin story, the skills they acquired in traditional library settings, and how their experience translated into new opportunities outside of the library. Each presenter offers a unique perspective and will touch upon the pros and cons of following a passion or opportunity beyond the library walls.
Whether you are considering a career change, exploring career options, or starting out fresh in the library industry, this presentation will expand one’s thinking about how and where traditional library work might be relevant and beneficial.
Cost: We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs, which enables us to offer this event free of charge.
Who should attend: Library students, library workers interested in a career change, or anyone interested in learning about library-related opportunities.
Presenter Bios:
Krista Boehnert
Krista Boehnert is a member of Island Health’s Medical and Academic Affairs team in the role of Specialist, Content and Engagement. She provides communications support to medical staff across Island Health. She has more than 15 years of experience as a communications strategist, with a strong background in internal communications, public affairs, and community relations. Krista has spent much of her career in the education and post-secondary sectors which has equipped her with a thoughtful, audience-centered approach to communications. She is a gifted storyteller who is deeply committed to creating accessible and inclusive communications. An avid collaborator, she values connecting with colleagues, learning from their expertise, and contributing to shared success. Before her career in communications, Krista worked as a librarian, a foundation that reflects her lifelong love of learning and information sharing. Outside of work, you’ll often find her with her nose in a book, or writing her next play.
Laurie Davidson
Laurie Davidson (she/her) is the Executive Director of CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access) and is passionate about building an accessible and equitable reading landscape for all. She has more than 25 years of experience working as a librarian and technologist in a variety of settings. She has worked in non-profits, library consortia, academic and public libraries, and the library technology industry and is interested in the intersection of systems and people, and how best to support collaboration and cooperation across organizations.
Lisa Hoskins
Lisa Hoskins is currently a Manager in the Governance & Structure Branch within the Local Government Division, Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs. She primarily works with local governments (municipalities and regional districts) and ministry partners on a variety of topics including changes to the local government legislative framework, responsible conduct, governance issues, bylaws and local elections to name a few.
Lisa made the leap to work in the BC public service just over eight years ago after working for about 14 years in the public library realm. Her career as a librarian began as a Children’s Librarian with the City of Maple Ridge in the Fraser Valley Regional Library system. Lisa then moved to the island, landing a job as a Children’s Librarian and then Portfolio Librarian (e.g., Healthy Communities, Teen Literacy, Early Literacy) with the Greater Victoria Public Library. Prior to this Lisa worked as a historical researcher for the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada working on modern day treaty cases.
Tara Robertson
Tara Robertson of Tara Robertson Consulting is a Leadership Coach and Inclusion Consultant. Tara launched her company after several years working in tech, and over a decade as an academic librarian, and sex worker. (Yes, you read that right!). The one thing all of these roles have in common? A deep passion for people and an ability to get below the surface and talk about what really matters. Tara knew she could make a real impact by helping companies level up their DEI efforts with strategy that creates measurable impact in business. She also wanted to help women in corporate careers who knew what it was like to navigate systems that weren’t designed for them. Tara offers executive coaching to help clients step into their power at work–whether that looks like landing promotions, achieving new goals, or starting their own companies.
BCLA events are all Pacific Time, hosted online via Zoom, which includes closed captioning. If you have any accessibility needs to attend these sessions, please contact Natalie Porter, BCLA Professional Development Coordinator in advance and BCLA will do our best to support you.
BCLA expects anyone attending to honour the Online Community Guidelines, to help create a positive environment that values accountability, respect, and a willingness to learn from each other.