Title: Developing AI Policies in Canadian Public Libraries
Description: Join us for a roundtable discussion on AI policy development with Laural Raine (Senior Manager of Planning, Policy & Evaluation at Toronto Public Library), Patricia Lesku (Acting Head of Technology at West Vancouver Memorial Library), and Vicky Varga (Executive Director of Collections and Technology at Edmonton Public Library). The conversation will be hosted by Rina Hadziev (BCLA Executive Director) and will address policy development process and implementation, the strengths of each policy, the surprises and challenges, and further advice for those embarking on their own policy development.
Outcomes:
- If considering an AI-related policy for your library system, this session will provide insight on where to start, with policy examples and first-hand accounts of how to broach the idea with library leadership and Board, and how a policy might benefit staff and/or library patrons.
- Learn how to generate interest in this policy, being mindful that colleagues and staff may be hesitant or resistant, considering the pros and cons of AI, including the concern for jobs, environmental impact, and ethics.
- Learn from library leaders as they consider how their AI policies may evolve in response to this constantly evolving technology
When: Tuesday, May 26th at 10am-11:30am (Pacific) / 1pm-2:30pm (Eastern) on Zoom
Cost: We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, which enables us to offer these events free of charge.
Who should attend: Library leaders interested in AI policy, all library workers interested in AI
Resources:
- ALA AI Working Group (Draft) Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy – Toronto Public Library
- Centre for Free Expression – Canadian Library Policies Database AI policy filter addition *currently eleven libraries as of May 4, 2026.
- West Vancouver Memorial Library – Artificial Intelligence patron resources
Presenter Bios:
Laural Raine
Laural Raine is Senior Manager of Policy, Planning and Evaluation with Toronto Public Library, where she provides leadership to establish organizational direction, align activities to achieve strategic priorities and measure outcomes.
In this role, she leads a team responsible for development of the organization’s Strategic Plan, implementation of TPL’s Policy Development Framework, and building organizational capacity for evaluation and impact assessment. Prior to joining TPL, Laural worked for the City of Toronto and has more than 15 years of public sector leadership experience in strategy, public policy, and research in a variety of roles.
Patricia Lesku
Patricia Lesku has worn many hats throughout her library career. She is currently West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Acting Head of Technology and Chair of the Library’s AI Working Group. When she’s not at the library, Patricia can be found playing the flute (enthusiastically, if not expertly) and planning her next concert outing.
Vicky Varga
Vicky Varga is the Executive Director of Collections and Technology at the Edmonton Public Library. She is responsible for the strategic leadership of technology, research, data analytics, and collections at the library. Vicky has worked in a wide variety of roles during her 25-year career at EPL including Web Developer, Manager of IT Customer Service, and Director, Branch Services. She has a strong interest in software and technology and how these systems support and enhance service delivery across the library.