BCLA supports the ongoing acquisition of skills and knowledge for personal and professional development and for career advancement. This page features recordings of past BCLA events and workshops, as well as training and tutorials related to our toolkits and annual Conference, all of which are available through our Vimeo account. For current events, visit the BC Library Professional Development Calendar.
Please note that the recordings of our Conference Virtual Reboot series, which requires a for-fee registration, are password-protected. Contact Professional Development Coordinator, Natalie Porter for more information regarding access to those recordings.
AI Exploration Series
The AI Exploration Series began in 2024 and has been made possible with the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
It’s like talking to a good friend: Or, the importance of human (and librarian!) curated Readers’ Advisory (August 2026) with Allison Jones and Brooklyn Kemp
Panel: Developing AI Policies in Canadian Public Libraries (May 2026) with Laural Raine, Patricia Lesku, and Vicky Varga
Search is Evolving – Are the Searchers? (March 2026) with Marydee Ojala
Using AI Tools in Library Marketing (February 2026) with David Lee King
AI Workshop Design for Newcomers (December 2025) with Shirley Chan
Future-Ready Youth: preparing our patrons to navigate the age of AI (December 2025) with Nick Tanzi
Why Do Human Rights Matter for Emerging Technologies like AI? (November 2025) with Dr. Wendy H. Wong
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and AI (October 2025) with Kristin Kozar
AI and Libraries: Shaping the future of services (June 2025) with Fiona O’Connor.
Generative AI Research Basics (May 2025) with Rich McCue.
A Pessimist’s Guide to ‘AI’: Hype, Bias, Environmental Harms and What to Do About Them (March 2025) with Dr. Anne Pasek.
Custom AI Models and LibraryRobot.org (January 2025) with Reed Hepler.
AI: Why is it writing my term paper when it should be doing my laundry? (December 2024) with R. David Lankes:
AI and ChatGPT Top Tips for Daily Life & Library Work (November 2024) with Cari Lynn Gawletz.
Empowering Libraries: Exploring the AI Frontier (October 2024) with Dr. Brandy McNeil.
Best Practises for Hosting AI Workshops at the Public Library (October 2024) with Issam Laradji.
Accessibility
Accessibility Resources for K-12 BC Students with Print Disabilities (October 2026) with Adam Wilton
Building a Sensory Musical Storytime Nest (October 2026) with Sandra Schuffert & Erin Cockriell of Smithers Public Library.
Creating Accessible Library Services for Children with Disabilities (May 2026) with Megan Sellmer of NNELS and Jessica Desormeaux of CELA
Accessible Social Media and Newsletters (January 2026) with Megan Sellmer of NNELS
Embracing Disability: Practical Advice for Accessible Library Programming (July 2025) with Jessica Desormeaux & Denise Scott of CELA
Creating Autism-Friendly Libraries with AIDE Canada (June 2024)
Annual Year-End Keynote Speaker Series
Our annual Year-End Keynote Speaker Series features a presenter who has come recommended as someone who will inspire and challenge library workers as they prepare for a new year.
2025: Future-Ready Youth: preparing our patrons to navigate the age of AI with Nick Tanzi
2024: Artificial Intelligence: why is it writing my term paper when it should be doing my laundry? with R. David Lankes.
2023: Communities of Care: accessible libraries through trauma-informed frameworks and radical empathy with Karina Hagelin.
Anti-Racism Training
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and AI (October 2025) with Kristin Kozar (MLIS), a proud member of the Hwlistum First Nation.
Re-Storying Education and De-Colonizing Libraries (April 2025) with Carolyn Roberts, an Indigenous author and educator from the Squamish Nation.
Indigenous Allyship and Anti-Racism (April 2024) with Len Pierre, a Coast Salish educator from Katzie First Nation
BCLA Toolkits
Accessible Job Interviews in the Library Workplace Toolkit
This toolkit was created by Celia Hagey, as part of her MLIS degree. The presentation in February 2025 provided an overview of best practises for libraries seeking to hire autistic and neurodivergent employees.
Equity Diversity Inclusion Strategies in Recruitment Toolkit
This toolkit was built by the contributions of Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) and project leader, Jessica Whu Lee. The presentation in March 2024 provided an overview for anyone involved or interested in recruitment in libraries, seeking to get introduced or refreshed on the EDI Toolkit.
Career, Leadership, & Hot Topics
Alternative Library Careers (September 2026) with Laurie Davidson, Tara Robertson, Krista Boehnert and Lisa Hoskins
Copyright Issues and Advocacy (August 2026) with Donald Taylor and Trish Mau of CFLA-FCAB Copyright Committee
Intellectual Freedom Instruction at Canadian Library Schools (November 2025) with Dr. Toni Samek, Dr. Mahdi Ganjavi, Dr. Cameron Pierson
The Impact of Tariffs on BC Libraries (May 2025) with Scott Hargrove, CEO of Fraser Valley Regional Library