Collaborative, empathetic, easygoing.
91´«Ã½
I just finished reading by Abraham Verghese. I fell in love with his writing after reading Cutting for Stone. I am not a big podcast listener unless on a long road trip. I listen to Radio Paradise (RP), a non-commercial online radio station, on my commute to work. On my way home I listen to CBC Drive with Rich Terfry which features mostly Canadian music and brands itself as "a love letter to Canadian towns and cities across the country".
Development, engaging, accessible.
91´«Ã½
As a Canadian librarian, I value the opportunity that ACRL provides me to connect with librarians from diverse backgrounds and locations, bringing different experiences and perspectives to a conversation. Conversely, I appreciate being able to participate as a member of ACRL committees to also share my own experiences and perspectives as a Canadian librarian.
91´«Ã½
As the Assistant Dean of Learning and Curriculum Support, I have a fairly unique role as I lead a team of Librarians and Learning Specialists responsible for a range of academic skill development and learning support programs and services, including information literacy, writing help, math and stats help, study skills, Supplemental Instruction (SI), Learning Communities, and Peer Assisted Learning (PAL). I have held this position since 2015 when the University decided to move student academic support services into the organizational structure of the University Library. While at first glance this may seem like a large portfolio, the intersection of all of these student academic success services makes for a wholistic experience for students. This approach and structure are an extension of the Learning Commons model that academic libraries have been leading for many years now. What I do in my role is to help bring alignment and integration into the curricular and co-curricular instruction we provide, the learning resources we develop, and the learning spaces we create, to make the library truly a learning and academic skills hub for the campus.
91´«Ã½
As I get closer to retirement, I reflect on my academic librarianship journey that has taken me to three university libraries in three Canadian provinces, and one university library in the United States. During that entire time, I have engaged in ACRL activities and looked for learning opportunities, not necessarily to the same level all the time, but it has always been there for me. As librarianship has evolved, and my positions and locations have changed, I never once questioned my chosen profession. While I admit to being on a pre-retirement track, I continue to learn and engage in the academic community and in my professional role that has been so very gratifying.
Pronouns:She/Her
Credentials:MLIS
Title:Assistant Dean, Learning and Curriculum Support
Job Function:Oversight and leadership for student learning and academic support programs and services.
Workplace:University of Saskatchewan
Location:Saskatoon, Canada