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The more consistently you exercise those practical skills and aim for growth, the more you strengthen your library marketing and communications muscle.
This year’s Think Tank features library workers from across Canada to inform and inspire your own routines and development goals. Pump up your marketing and communications prowess with expert insights on A.I. policies and practices. Fine tune your technique when it comes to confronting intellectual freedom challenges and building effective marketing strategies. Get those gains and minimize losses when it comes to managing communications challenges, no matter the library scale.
Join this nation-wide virtual experience for better definition and overall fitness in library marketing and communications!
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm ET
Location: Online
Join us for the Virtual Education Fair in Canada on November 20th! Connect with top universities, learn about study programs, and get expert advice on admissions. Don't miss this opportunity to kickstart your academic journey! Register now!
Duration: 41 minutes
Tune into this special episode of OLA's Library Land Loves podcast. This is your sign—literally—to look around your library and take stock of your signage.
Signage is the unsung hero of library life: it promotes your programs, points people where they need to go, warns, reminds, nudges, and keeps our beautiful chaos running as smoothly as possible.
On this episode of Library Land Loves, Michelle Arbuckle is joined by Aleksandra Dowiat Vine, Deputy CEO of Growth & Communications at Vaughn Public Libraries, and member of OLA’s Library as Place committee; Mark Aaron Polger, academic librarian at the College of Staten Island and author of Library Signage and Wayfinding Design; and Mary Kapusta, Executive Director of Communications and Engagement at Calgary Public Library and member of OLA’s Marketing Libraries Think Tank. Together, they discuss what makes signage work—and where you might need to reassess. So, the next time you walk five steps into your library, pause and look around. What do you see? Are your signs welcoming? Clear? Confusing? Invisible?
If your users are always asking the same questions… this episode might just point you in the right direction.
There are many of advantages to integrating A.I. use in library communications and marketing work: it automates tasks, analyses impact data, delivers hyper-personalized experiences, visualizes ideas, and so much more. But how do you manage usage in your organization, and what does it look like when the approved parameters are put into action? This cross-Canada panel brings insights from experts of a variety of library backgrounds that have researched, built or activated A.I. policies and engaged in depth with A.I. use in creative and informative settings.
Links mentioned:
Ann Liang
Business Librarian, University of Saskatchewan Library
Business Librarian, University of Saskatchewan Library
Ann Liang is a Business Librarian at the University of Saskatchewan. She can be found teaching students marketing research, using AI ethically or looking for the next big technology trend. Ann’s dreams include running Jurassic Park or being the next Indiana Jones. After obtaining a B. Sc. Biology and a B.A. Archaeology, she ultimately decided that being a librarian offered the best of both worlds and completed her MLIS at Western in 2015. As the marketing and communications officer for the University of Saskatchewan Library, she has won various Association of Research Library ARLIES film festival awards, ALA’s PR Xchange marketing award and honorable mentions from IFLA’s International Marketing Award.
Yoojin Kwon
Senior Services Specialist, Innovation (AI Upskilling Services) Innovation, Learning & Service Planning, TPL
Senior Services Specialist, Innovation (AI Upskilling Services) Innovation, Learning & Service Planning, TPL
Yoojin Kwon is a Senior Services Specialist (AI Upskilling Services) at Toronto Public Library. With a background in digital literacy and innovation services at TPL, she has contributed to the development and implementation of innovative programs and resources that help library users and staff navigate emerging technologies with confidence. Yoojin is passionate about promoting equitable access to digital skills and creating opportunities for lifelong learning in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Alexander Taylor
Branch Manager, Hanover Public Library
Branch Manager, Hanover Public Library
During his Masters, Alexander co-oped with the Parks Canada Government library where he assisted with the amalgamation of their 10 libraries into a single branch. His first full time role in libraries was with the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Library network as their West Coast Divisional Librarian where he assisted with the management of 29 branches. Alexander later returned to Ontario to work in city libraries, working alongside staff to combat drug use and other evolving challenges to library staff. Two years ago, he joined the Hanover Public Library, where he was promoted to Branch Manager. While working with his team they created and implemented one of the first library focused AI policies. He continues to work closely with his team and CEO to help create and implement meaningful programs to their patrons and look forward to this industry's future.
Scott Fraser
Marketing and Communications Manager, Vancouver Public Library
Marketing and Communications Manager, Vancouver Public Library
Scott Fraser is the Marketing and Communications Manager for Vancouver Public Library. He has worked in consumer-centric marketing and communications in Vancouver for over 25 years, with a focus on tourism, cultural organizations, and public institutions. Born and raised in British Columbia, Scott has had a life-long passion for the outdoor landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, enjoying both summer and winter activities throughout the region.
Dr. Sodiq Onaolapo
Information Specialist, Department of Education and Learning, St. Joseph's Healthcare - Hamilton
Information Specialist, Department of Education and Learning, St. Joseph's Healthcare - Hamilton
With social and political temperatures rising, how do you prepare your library team for a time when disaster, derision, and division drops on its doorstep? This session focuses on smaller library systems and small-scale teams where regular and emergent communications, PR, and marketing tasks can fall on anyone and budget or resources may be limited. Proactive preparation, community partnerships, and skill-building may be the way forward. Gather insights from a secondary school teacher-librarian with tried and tested experience!
Jonelle St. Aubyn
Teacher-librarian, Peel District School Board
Teacher-librarian, Peel District School Board
Jonelle St. Aubyn is a teacher-librarian at Louise Arbour Secondary School in the Peel District School Board, Ontario. She has been teaching for 21 years with the last 7 being in the library learning commons. Passionate about social justice, equity and human rights, Jonelle has been curating resources for staff, students and community members to move this work forward at Louise Arbour Secondary School and beyond. Jonelle was one of the team members that revised the Teacher-Librarianship Additional Qualification course guidelines for the Ontario College of Teachers. She is also the recent recipient of the OSSTF District 19 Inspiring Moments Campaign and the Teachers Life Exceptional Educator Award.
With social and political temperatures rising, how do you prepare your library team for a time when disaster, derision, and division drops on its doorstep? This session focuses on large library systems and large-scale communications/marketing teams that face critical situations involving matters like data breaches, emergency responses, fake content, programming and book challenges, public outcry, and more. Even with a skilled dedicated team that you can lean on, it's important to create a proactive crisis plan, review training, identify risks, prepare for various scenarios, invest in tools and protections, and debrief post-crisis. Learn from the experience of a professional whose career has spanned a breadth of environments, from a library setting to a major transit system in a growing metropolis.
Anne Marie Aikins
Media Strategist and Crisis Communications Advisor, AMA Communications
Media Strategist and Crisis Communications Advisor, AMA Communications
Anne Marie Aikins is a media strategist and creative, dedicated leader with more than three decades of experience in communications and journalism. Anne Marie provides media relations and editorial support to the executive leaders and staff at Canadian Urban Institute. She helps launch the media outreach for new reports and events, manages media requests, and arranges interviews with CUI CEO Mary W. Rowe and other leaders in a variety of subjects that impact Canadian communities. Reporters are welcome to reach out to Anne Marie for assistance.
In library communications and marketing, how do you strike a balance between informing, engaging, and activating your audience when faced with the spread of misinformation, manipulation, and lack of civility? Deepen your understanding of intellectual freedom and the ‘right to know'. This discussion investigates the role that democracy and social justice play in building effective marketing strategies, and how that influence may be both empowering and divisive.
Link Mentioned:
James Turk
Director, Centre for Free Expression, Toronto Metropolitan University
Director, Centre for Free Expression, Toronto Metropolitan University
James L. Turk is Director of the Centre for Free Expression (CFE) at Toronto Metropolitan University and leads CFE’s work in defending and promoting intellectual freedom. He has received numerous awards for his work including the Intellectual Freedom Award for outstanding contributions to intellectual freedom in Canada from the Canadian Federation of Library Associations, the Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award from the Ontario Library Association, and the Milner Memorial Award for significant contributions to the understanding and strengthening of academic freedom in Canada from the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
Information Specialist, Department of Education and Learning, St. Joseph's Healthcare - Hamilton
Marketing and Communications Manager, Vancouver Public Library
Scott Fraser is the Marketing and Communications Manager for Vancouver Public Library. He has worked in consumer-centric marketing and communications in Vancouver for over 25 years, with a focus on tourism, cultural organizations, and public institutions. Born and raised in British Columbia, Scott has had a life-long passion for the outdoor landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, enjoying both summer and winter activities throughout the region.
Teacher-librarian, Peel District School Board
Jonelle St. Aubyn is a teacher-librarian at Louise Arbour Secondary School in the Peel District School Board, Ontario. She has been teaching for 21 years with the last 7 being in the library learning commons. Passionate about social justice, equity and human rights, Jonelle has been curating resources for staff, students and community members to move this work forward at Louise Arbour Secondary School and beyond. Jonelle was one of the team members that revised the Teacher-Librarianship Additional Qualification course guidelines for the Ontario College of Teachers. She is also the recent recipient of the OSSTF District 19 Inspiring Moments Campaign and the Teachers Life Exceptional Educator Award.
Branch Manager, Hanover Public Library
During his Masters, Alexander co-oped with the Parks Canada Government library where he assisted with the amalgamation of their 10 libraries into a single branch. His first full time role in libraries was with the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Library network as their West Coast Divisional Librarian where he assisted with the management of 29 branches. Alexander later returned to Ontario to work in city libraries, working alongside staff to combat drug use and other evolving challenges to library staff. Two years ago, he joined the Hanover Public Library, where he was promoted to Branch Manager. While working with his team they created and implemented one of the first library focused AI policies. He continues to work closely with his team and CEO to help create and implement meaningful programs to their patrons and look forward to this industry's future.
Senior Services Specialist, Innovation (AI Upskilling Services) Innovation, Learning & Service Planning, TPL
Yoojin Kwon is a Senior Services Specialist (AI Upskilling Services) at Toronto Public Library. With a background in digital literacy and innovation services at TPL, she has contributed to the development and implementation of innovative programs and resources that help library users and staff navigate emerging technologies with confidence. Yoojin is passionate about promoting equitable access to digital skills and creating opportunities for lifelong learning in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Director, Centre for Free Expression, Toronto Metropolitan University
James L. Turk is Director of the Centre for Free Expression (CFE) at Toronto Metropolitan University and leads CFE’s work in defending and promoting intellectual freedom. He has received numerous awards for his work including the Intellectual Freedom Award for outstanding contributions to intellectual freedom in Canada from the Canadian Federation of Library Associations, the Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award from the Ontario Library Association, and the Milner Memorial Award for significant contributions to the understanding and strengthening of academic freedom in Canada from the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
Media Strategist and Crisis Communications Advisor, AMA Communications
Anne Marie Aikins is a media strategist and creative, dedicated leader with more than three decades of experience in communications and journalism. Anne Marie provides media relations and editorial support to the executive leaders and staff at Canadian Urban Institute. She helps launch the media outreach for new reports and events, manages media requests, and arranges interviews with CUI CEO Mary W. Rowe and other leaders in a variety of subjects that impact Canadian communities. Reporters are welcome to reach out to Anne Marie for assistance.
Business Librarian, University of Saskatchewan Library
Ann Liang is a Business Librarian at the University of Saskatchewan. She can be found teaching students marketing research, using AI ethically or looking for the next big technology trend. Ann’s dreams include running Jurassic Park or being the next Indiana Jones. After obtaining a B. Sc. Biology and a B.A. Archaeology, she ultimately decided that being a librarian offered the best of both worlds and completed her MLIS at Western in 2015. As the marketing and communications officer for the University of Saskatchewan Library, she has won various Association of Research Library ARLIES film festival awards, ALA’s PR Xchange marketing award and honorable mentions from IFLA’s International Marketing Award.
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We have added extra content to appeal to folks of various roles and library backgrounds. This means you get to pick what to tune into live. But not to worry - all sessions are being recorded, so you can still view all content after the conference ends.
The event sessions will be on demand until January 23, 2026, however we may make updates and changes to the platform periodically.
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Tell your event story through images
Tell your event story through images
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