BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//BCLA - ECPv6.17.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://bclaconnect.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for BCLA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Vancouver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20260308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260909T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260909T113000 DTSTAMP:20260813T180641Z CREATED:20260717T170640Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T180641Z UID:44358-1788948000-1788953400@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:Alternative Library Careers Panel DESCRIPTION: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. \nWhether 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. \nRegister Today! \nCost: 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. \nWho should attend: Library students\, library workers interested in a career change\, or anyone interested in learning about library-related opportunities. \nPresenter Bios: \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Krista Boehnert\n 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.   \n \n \n \n \n \n Laurie Davidson\n 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. \n \n \n \n \n \n Lisa Hoskins\n 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. \nLisa 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. \n \n \n \n \n \n Tara Robertson\n 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. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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. \nBCLA 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. URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/alternative-library-careers-panel/ LOCATION:Virtual CATEGORIES:Growth and Leadership ORGANIZER;CN="BC Library Association":MAILTO:prodev@bcla.bc.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260922T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260922T111500 DTSTAMP:20260813T180247Z CREATED:20260806T203339Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T180247Z UID:45187-1790071200-1790075700@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:Reluctant Leadership / Management for Mid-Career Librarians DESCRIPTION:This presentation by Kellee E. Warren (Associate Professor and Special Collections Librarian – University of Illinois) will include a candid discussion on the benefits and challenges of advancement into management and leadership for both early and mid-career librarians. While some early career librarians have the curiosity and ambition to become part of senior management\, even with library manager training programs\, they are often not set up for success. Concurrently\, through personal experience\, observation\, and an intuitive sense of the sacrifices\, many mid-career librarians often find themselves in middle management roles and are reluctant to advance to senior management. This presentation will provide a brief history of management practice\, discuss the importance of specific skills and training\, and interrogate what it means to be a library manager and/or leader. \nOutcomes: \n\nDetermine the pros and cons of library advancement\nUnderstand the value of specialized training for senior management\nConsider where there might be training gaps in one’s organization for senior management success\nCultivate a better appreciation for the skillset required for senior management roles\n\nRegister Today! \nWho should attend: Early / Mid Career Librarians\, Senior management from public and academic libraries \nPresenter: Kellee E. Warren is Associate Professor and Special Collections Librarian for University of Illinois Chicago\, where her current research is on teaching with Chicago design collections and Black representation in nineteenth century children’s literature in the U.S.. URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/reluctant-leadership-management-for-mid-career-librarians/ LOCATION:Virtual CATEGORIES:Growth and Leadership ORGANIZER;CN="BC Library Association":MAILTO:prodev@bcla.bc.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261002T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261002T110000 DTSTAMP:20260813T180117Z CREATED:20260728T202655Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T180117Z UID:45112-1790935200-1790938800@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:Building a Sensory Musical Storytime Nest DESCRIPTION:As we know\, there are many different types of brains that attend library story times – this workshop explores how we can use sensory based musical activities to increase language abilities\, build social connections\, increase fine and gross motor skills\, and just have an amazing time building life-long library memories. Participants will learn more about our most engaging musical tips and tricks for library kids & library adults\, and why music is so important in creating a more inclusive space for sensory seekers and avoiders. \nNote: This session was originally offered at the 2025 Beyond Hope Conference. \nRegister Today! \nCost: 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. \nWho should attend: Library staff who work with children and youth\, especially those offering storytime and/or those interested in accessibility and inclusivity \nPresenters: \nSandra Schuffert has been the Children & Youth Coordinator at the Smithers Public Library for 9 years. Her dizzying repertoire of songs\, enjoyed by all ages\, is matched only by a broad understanding and passion for diverse abilities and sensory experiences during story times. Sandra has also been a homeschooling parent\, a Special Olympics coach\, and lives with her family on a hobby farm. \nErin Cockriell is the Circulation & Volunteer Coordinator at the Smithers Public Library. She has been plucking the happy strings of the Ukulele for story times\, children’s concerts and young students for a decade. Erin is also the facilitator of the Telkwa Reading Centre and a casual library worker at Coast Mountain College in Smithers. In short\, she loves libraries! \nBCLA 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. \nBCLA 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. URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/building-a-sensory-musical-storytime-nest/ LOCATION:Virtual CATEGORIES:Accessibility,Beyond Hope Virtual Reboot END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261006T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261006T150000 DTSTAMP:20260813T180009Z CREATED:20260807T211246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T180009Z UID:45235-1791295200-1791298800@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:Accessibility Resources for K-12 BC Students with Print Disabilities DESCRIPTION:In this session we’ll discuss the multiple pathways that students with print disabilities access learning materials in digital and hard copy alternate formats in the K-12 education system. In K-12\, digital alternate formats include PDF\, EPUB\, and e-Text while hard copy alternate formats include braille\, and enlarged print. We’ll focus on the service constellation – how various agencies and organizations work together across K-12\, post-secondary\, and public libraries to ensure equitable access to learning for print disabled students. \nOutcomes: \n\nParticipants will learn about the agencies supporting print disabled students and their families in K-12\, with an emphasis on how these resources/agencies fit together.\nParticipants will be able to describe the key accessibility features and functions of digital accessible books produced for classroom use in K-12.\nParticipants will learn about key resources for alternate format production and document accessibility.\n\nRegister Today!\n  \nCost: 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. \nWho should attend: Any library workers interested in accessibility\, especially those who serve children and youth in BC. May be of particular interest for public libraries who provide space and support for homeschooled students. \nPresenter: \nAdam Wilton\, PhD\, is the Program Manager of the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI) in Vancouver\, British Columbia. He has been an educator for 18 years\, working mostly as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Adam has numerous connections to the accessible reading world – he is a Director for Braille Literacy Canada\, the Coordinator of the BC Regional Braille Challenge\, and is the Vice-Chair of the Canadian Association of Educational Resource Centres for Alternate Format Materials. \nBCLA 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. \nBCLA 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. URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/accessibility-resources-for-k-12-bc-students-with-print-disabilities/ LOCATION:Virtual CATEGORIES:Accessibility ORGANIZER;CN="BC Library Association":MAILTO:prodev@bcla.bc.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261028T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261028T113000 DTSTAMP:20260813T172408Z CREATED:20260728T183158Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T172408Z UID:45102-1793181600-1793187000@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:Misinformation: Can you stop it? DESCRIPTION:Misinformation spreads quickly – sometimes faster than the truth – and libraries are often the first places its impacts show up. This session provides language\, framing and approaches participants can use to support library users\, friends and family members in navigating the often-overwhelming challenges associated with misinformation. \nThe session introduces key content from the BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner “Misinformation Minibites.” These virtual learning sessions focus on what misinformation is\, why it is sometimes difficult to identify\, how it impacts human rights and democracy\, and what we can all do to identify and stop it’s spread. The Minibites are on offer as resources for library workers to utilize and share with library patrons. \nThe session also highlights projects developed by community amplifiers to raise awareness of and take action on issues related to misinformation. It was originally offered at the 2026 BC Library Conference and is part of the Conference Virtual Reboot series. \nRegister Today \nCost: Free of charge thanks to the BCOHRC\, offered virtually on Zoom \nWho should attend: Library workers interested in tools for handling misinformation and supporting their patrons\, whether in programs\, reference conversations or front-of-house dialogue \nPresenters: Joel Harnest & Barb Ryeburn of BCOHRC \nNote: The BCOHRC will be hosting this event on Zoom through their own platform\, but BCLA’s Online Community Guidelines still applies. URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/misinformation-can-you-stop-it/ LOCATION:Virtual CATEGORIES:Conference Virtual Reboot END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261209T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261209T111500 DTSTAMP:20260813T172311Z CREATED:20260811T195204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T172311Z UID:45266-1796810400-1796814900@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:What's Ahead in AI: Signal\, Noise and the Coming Year for Libraries DESCRIPTION:Every few months brings a new wave of AI announcements\, and it can feel like the ground shifts before you’ve had a chance to stand on it. This keynote takes a breath. Avery Swartz looks back at how AI has changed libraries over the past few years\, separates the developments that mattered from the ones that didn’t\, and offers her read on what’s coming in the year ahead. Expect a candid look at the hype cycle\, a few predictions to keep an eye on\, and a reminder that a library’s judgement about what serves its community is still the most valuable thing in the room. \nOutcomes: \n\nLearn to tell the difference between a capability shift in AI and marketing noise\nLeave with a short list of things to watch in the year ahead\, and the reasoning behind each\nBuild confidence in evaluating your library’s AI use\n\nRegistration is coming soon! \nCost: We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs\, which enables us to offer our BCLA Year-End Keynote speaker free of charge. \nWho should attend: Library workers at any comfort level with AI\, including skeptics \nPresenter bio: Avery Swartz is an acclaimed tech educator and best-selling author. She is the founder and CEO of Camp Tech\, which has been delivering practical tech and AI skills training since 2012. She is also co-lead of AI Skills Lab Canada\, a national program bridging the AI gender adoption gap for women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Avery works with arts and culture organizations\, public libraries\, museums\, and nonprofits across Canada\, including the National Arts Centre and the Stratford Festival\, to adopt AI with confidence. Avery is the resident tech contributor on CTV Your Morning and is regularly heard on CBC Radio. She also hosted the AI Meets World podcast from Microsoft and The Globe and Mail Content Studio. \n  \nBCLA 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. \nBCLA 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. URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/whats-ahead-in-ai-signal-noise-and-the-coming-year-for-libraries/ LOCATION:Virtual CATEGORIES:AI Exploration,Keynote END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270421 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270424 DTSTAMP:20260813T173906Z CREATED:20260813T172659Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T173906Z UID:45367-1808265600-1808524799@bclaconnect.ca SUMMARY:2027 BC Library Conference DESCRIPTION:BCLA is proud to offer the annual BC Library Conference\, which has a long history of progressive\, nuanced and inspiring speakers and presentations. We strive to provide engaging opportunities to learn from and contribute to the important work being done in the library sector\, focusing on our province but including important and emerging ideas and practice at the national and international levels. \nThe 2027 Conference will take place at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel\, on the territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and other hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (hun-ki-meen-um) speaking people\, in Richmond. \nCall for proposals will open in the fall of 2026 \nDelegate registration will open in early 2027 \nRegister to Sponsor \nRegister to Exhibit URL:https://bclaconnect.ca/event/2027-bc-library-conference/ LOCATION:In-Person CATEGORIES:Conference ORGANIZER;CN="BC Library Association":MAILTO:prodev@bcla.bc.ca END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR