IFLA’s Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS) in collaboration with the New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG) is proud to announce the first event in a new webinar series to empower new library leaders worldwide and foster diversity within the profession.  

Link to webinar recording: https://youtu.be/eQIfNZI7pxA

Over the course of six webinars, library associations from countries in each Regional Division will present opportunities they provide for new and senior librarians including leadership opportunities and how these library associations are fostering diversity within the library profession and leadership. The webinar format includes interactive opportunities to engage attendees in conversations about those topics that will elicit best practices and recommendations and the needs of new and senior professionals.  

The insights gained from these webinars will then inform and enrich the MLAS Open Session at WLIC 2022 in Dublin, which will focus on the same theme.  

We are pleased to feature library associations and librarians from all regions of the world in this webinar series. Our first webinar on March 24th features the North American region. Time: 10:00am New York / 3:00pm Amsterdam.

Opening remarks: Barbara Lison, IFLA President

Moderator: Loida Garcia-Febo, MLAS Information Coordinator and coordinator of the webinar series.

Speakers

Patty Wong, USA

Patricia “Patty” Wong is the city librarian of Santa Clara, California. Wong is the President of the American Library Association (ALA) for the 2021-2022 term and is the first Asian American president of the ALA. She has been on the faculty at the San Jose State University iSchool since 2006, teaching subjects such as equitable access to library services, library management, and library services to young people.

Crystal Chen, USA

Crystal Chen is a Teen Center Coordinator at The New York Public Library and a 2018 American Library Association Emerging Leader. She received her MSLIS from Pratt Institute and is an active member of the Chinese American Librarians Association and Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association. She also serves as a community admin for We Here (wehere.space), a supportive community for BIPOC in LIS.

Susan Cleyle, Canada

Ms. Susan E. Cleyle is former Dean of Libraries at Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Ms. Cleyle is currently the chair of The Partnership, the network of provincial, regional and territorial library associations of Canada, the Vice President (Newfoundland and Labrador) for the Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) and the Visiting Program Officer (Leadership Development) for the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL/ABRC).

Selinda Berg, Canada

Dr. Selinda Berg started her term as University Librarian at the University of Windsor in July 2021. Dr. Berg leads an exceptional team who meaningfully contribute to the academic mission of the University and to the success of students and faculty. Dr. Berg holds a masters and doctoral degree in Library and Information Studies, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. In 2019, Dr. Berg received the Award of Merit from the Canadian Association of Research Libraries in recognition of her sustained leadership in building research capacity within Canada’s academic library community. Selinda maintains an active research program that intersects with her professional interests including equity, diversity, and inclusion in libraries; academic libraries’ institutional and community partnerships; research culture in academic libraries; and the professional identity of librarians.