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Board of Directors – Biographies

Photograph David ChristensenDavid Christensen is Library Program and Policy Analyst, Public Library Services Branch, Sport, Culture and Heritage (Manitoba), where he has been helping public libraries understand the technology that was coming into their libraries and how to use it to meet the needs of their public. His role has been evolving as library staff and administration have become more comfortable with technology; he now spends much of his time working on co-operation and collaboration between libraries. David was instrumental in the development and growth of the Manitoba Spruce Libraries Co-operative and in building the strong, mutually beneficial relationship between BCLC and Spruce. He has served as chair of the Sitka Business Function Group and as a Co-op representative on the Evergreen Community Development Initiative.

 

Photograph of Clint CurleClint Curle has been the Director of South Interlake Regional Library in Manitoba since 2020, coming from a career in the museum sector. He holds a PhD in political science, Masters degrees in legal Studies and theology as well as a law degree. Clint is passionate about the transformative role of public libraries in rural communities.

 

 

photograph of Deb Hutchison Koep

Deb Hutchison Koep is the Chief Librarian at North Vancouver City Library. She has worked in leadership roles at West Vancouver Memorial Library, including seven years as deputy director with a portfolio that included finance, technology and communications. Deb enjoys problem-solving, project work, and process analysis and improvement. Working with committed, motivated, curious people keeps her on her toes. She believes in leading through others, and is passionate about working in service to the community. Deb welcomes this opportunity to contribute her skills and learning, challenge her thinking and expand her knowledge.

 

Photograph of Jacqueline KozakJacqueline Kozak has been Library Director at Radium Hot Springs Public Library since 2018. She has served as Chair of the Kootenay Library Federation Library Directors Advisory Group and volunteered with the University of Regina Students’ Historical Society. Jacqueline has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Regina and plans to complete a Master of Library and Information Science at University of Alberta in 2026.

 

photograph of Shirley LewShirley Lew is Dean, Learning Services at Vancouver Community College. She has a background in library technology and has taught library systems and automation at the iSchool at UBC. She has served on several Boards, most recently as President of BC Libraries Association, Secretary for Vancouver Writers Festival, and past-President of BC Book Prizes. Shirley is  interested in the potential of technology to improve the quality of lives and communities, while also critically considering the ethical, political, and economic factors that drive and shape the digital landscape. Shirley is currently a doctoral student at UBC where her dissertation research will focus on cooperatives in the information sector.

 

photograph of Noreen MaNoreen Ma has been part of the public libraries scene for many years. She is currently the Manager, Community Development at the Burnaby Public Library (BPL) where she oversees a team of community librarians and the Home Library and Accessible Service Department.  She is responsible for setting the strategy and direction for community work based on principles of equity, justice, inclusion and anti-racism. Passionate about social justice and anti-racism, her work at BPL includes participating in the Accessibility Committee and the EDI Committee at the City of Burnaby.  Previously, Noreen has served as a Member-At-Large on BC Book Prizes Board for four years. From 2020 to 2022, Noreen was the branch head at the Britannia Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. In that role, Noreen was actively involved with the Britannia Community Services Board of Management and other subcommittees including the Anti-Racism Committee and the Reconciliation in Action Committee. Noreen is particularly interested in learning more about the work that the BC Libraries Cooperative is doing around accessibility and seeing how she can collaborate with the wider library community to work towards greater equity and access.  

 

photograph of Suzanne RackoverSuzanne Rackover is the current Director of the Library and Academic Success Centre, and CAPER-BC at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ | Langara College. From 2016 to 2022, she held the role of University Librarian at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (a Sitka Consortium member). Suzanne is currently the Incoming President of the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) and has been actively involved in a variety of professional organizations including being on the executive board of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) and two terms as President of the Council of Post-Secondary Library Directors of BC (CPSLD).

 

photograph of Hillary WebbHillary Webb is the Systems and Technical Services Librarian and liaison to the Faculty of Culture + Community at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU). In her role she has been instrumental in building an open access institutional repository, which showcases and preserves works created by the ECU community. As chair of the ECU Research Data Management (RDM) Committee, Hillary works closely with the Research Office, Research Ethics Board, IT department, research lab directors, and faculty members to carry out the institutional RDM strategy. She shows her commitment to collaboration and cooperation as a current member of the Emily Carr Faculty Association executive, Sitka Post-sec Cataloguing Working Group, BC-ELN Arca Advisory Committee, and in her participation on ECU library committees for Decolonization + Indigenization and Exhibitions.

 

Mari Martin (MLIS) is the Director, Public Libraries Branch within the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Since 2015, she has been responsible for administering the Library Act for public libraries and implementing provincial strategic priorities. She is dedicated to helping public libraries and government work together to better meet the needs of B.C.’s diverse communities.