The full instructional schedule is provided after registration. In general, the instructional units will take place over two hours on the 3rd and 4th Wednesday of each month of the program, with the exception of the in-person site visits listed below. The preliminary schedule has been established for 2023-2024:
- September 2023 – program begins with virtual launch
- October 24–25, 2023 – Vancouver – site visit
- May 7–8, 2024 – Montréal – site visit
- January 28–29, 2025 – Greater Toronto Area site visit and graduation at OLA Super Conference
2023 Instructors
Lita Barrie, CEO, Burlington Public Library
Before joining Burlington Public Library in 2018 as their chief executive officer, Ms. Barrie held various senior level positions at Brantford and Hamilton public libraries and was the CEO of Grimsby Public Library. She holds a Master of Library & Information Studies from McGill University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Art History) from Concordia University, and certificates in leadership from McMaster University, University of Toronto, and University of Victoria. Lita is active in the library profession as a frequent presenter at conferences and as a sessional lecturer at University of Toronto, Faculty of Information, where she also co-founded the Public Library Leaders Program in collaboration with CULC/CBUC. She has also served in many senior volunteer roles with the Ontario Library Association.
Andrea Cecchetto, Director, Service Excellence, Markham Public Library
Andrea’s professional background in libraries includes learning and growth, leadership development and workforce development. Andrea also has professional experience in project management. Andrea holds an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario, Masters Certification in Organizational Development and Change Management from Schulich School of Business, and a Masters of Public Administration from Queens University. She is the Treasure of the Board for the Canadian Federation of Library Associations, a North American Region Division Councillor at the International Federation of Library Associations, the Chair of the OLA Climate Action Committee, and was the 2020-2021 OLA President.
Sharon Day, Executive Director, Customer Experience, Edmonton Public Library
Sharon is responsible for ensuring excellence in the provision of library service to all 21 library branches through the strategic development, innovation and implementation of effective ongoing service delivery. Prior to her current role she held the position of Director, Branch Services and Collections where she provided oversight in the provision of services to branches, as well as the selection, delivery, and circulation of all EPL’s physical and digital collections.
Sharon holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta, and started her career as Automation Services Librarian at Yellowhead Regional Library. Later positions included Associate Director, then Acting Director of John M. Culaenaere Public Library in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She joined EPL as a Branch Manager in 2009.
Christina de Castell, Chief Librarian & CEO, Vancouver Public Library
Christina joined Vancouver Public Library in 2006, and she was appointed Chief Librarian & CEO in 2018. Christina’s prior roles at VPL include director of collections & technology, manager of online information & news and manager, InfoAction.
In 2015, Christina represented libraries at UN forums as manager, policy and advocacy for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Prior to joining VPL, Christina worked at the BC Securities Commission as a website manager, usability specialist and research librarian.
Christina has been elected to the IFLA regional division committee and will be serving as the vice-chair for North America for 2021–2023. She is also vice-chair of the copyright committee for the Canadian Federation of Library Associations. She has been a member of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council eBook task force since 2010, and a member of the IFLA elending working group and ReadersFirst leadership group since 2012.
Åsa Kachan, Chief Librarian, Halifax Public Libraries
Åsa Kachan is the CEO & Chief Librarian for Halifax Public Libraries where she oversees 420 staff working across the 14-branch library system. Prior to her role with Halifax Public Libraries, Åsa spent 16 years in senior administrative roles within universities, most recently serving as the Assistant Vice-President Enrolment Management & Registrar for Dalhousie University between 2004 and 2014. Åsa volunteers her time with a number of community organizations, including serving as Chair of the Governance Committee of the United Way of Halifax. She also sits on the Advisory Board for the Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University. In 2018 Åsa was appointed to the Governing Council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for a three-year term. Åsa is the CULC/CBUC Chair 2022–2024.
Panels of CULC/CBUC CEOs are a regular part of the program
