Aleha McCauley
Community Engagement Librarian (Business Services)
Background
A proud alumnus to UBC, Aleha McCauley joined the Learning Centre in September 2008. Prior to that, she worked with the Vancouver Public Library as a Science and Business Reference Librarian, where her responsibilities included collection development, library instruction and tours, and in-depth business reference services. In 2007, she also managed the Italian Culture Centre Society Library (part-time), where she lead a small team of volunteers, oversaw the move of a collection of approximately 6000 items, and worked with various departments and committees to plan for the Library reopening for Spring 2009. Prior to completing her MLIS from the iSchool, Aleha was a conflict resolution counselor at the Better Business Bureau of Mainland BC.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Aleha is involved in a variety of community engagement initiatives and digital projects that foster connections between UBC library expertise and resources with off campus audiences in Vancouver and beyond. These include the Small Business Accelerator (SBA), the Making Research Accessible Initiative and Community Scholars Program. Aleha is also involved in recruiting students to support the Learning Centre’s community engagement portfolio.
One area of focus for Aleha is supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses secondary research needs. For example, in 2014, Aleha was recognized for her exemplary academic business librarianship by the Special Libraries Association Business and Finance Division for her work providing innovative digital services to BC entrepreneurs.
Aleha enjoys collaborating with campus partners such as Entrepreneurship@UBC, the Learning Exchange, and others to find ways to extend UBC’s extensive resources, knowledge, and expertise to assist our diverse communities across BC in meaningful ways.
Aleha’s research interests include information services for entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as the role of academic librarians in community engagement, democratizing knowledge, and public scholarship. Aleha is currently a co-investigator in the Supporting Transparent and Open Research Engagement and Exchange (STOREE) grant funded through a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership Development Grant.
Contact:
Email: aleha.mccauley@ubc.ca
Phone: (604) 827-3906
Julie Mitchell
Associate University Librarian and Director, IKBLC
Background
Julie holds her Master’s in Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia and has over a decade of experience as a librarian at UBC, starting as Learning Services Librarian for the Chapman Learning Commons in 2007 and taking on increasing responsibilities throughout her career. Prior to UBC, Julie worked as an Engineering Librarian at the University of Minnesota Libraries in Minneapolis where her portfolio included reference, instruction, collection development, and faculty liaison for the departments of Aerospace, Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering.
Current Role and Responsibilities
In her current role as Associate University Librarian, Teaching, Learning and Engagement and Director, IKBLC, Julie provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (including the Chapman Learning Commons, Program Services and the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication). She is responsible for the planning and development of public spaces in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, especially as they relate to supporting student programs and services. Julie also focuses on enhancement of the Learning Centre’s province-wide community engagement efforts through innovative programs and partnerships, both on and off campus.
As an Associate University Librarian, Julie is responsible for the Music, Art & Architecture Library, David Lam Library, Education Library and Xwi7xwa Library and is regularly engaged in Library-wide projects and initiatives. Julie currently co-leads the Indigenous Strategic Plan Implementation for UBC Library.
Passionate about student learning, space planning, evidence-based practice and innovative applications of technology in the library environment, Julie is an advocate for student needs and strives to develop library programs and spaces that foster interdisciplinary interaction and create a sense of belonging in the academic community.
Contact
Email: julie.mitchell@ubc.ca
Phone: (604) 827-4307
Kristen Wong
Program Services Assistant
Background
Kristen Wong is the Community Engagement Program Services Assistant at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC). An alumna of UBC, she received her Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Myth and Literature of Greece, Rome, and the Near East. In addition to having been a student at UBC, Kristen has also worked at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in Administration and at the Faculty of Graduate Studies with PhD Candidates. An active member of the community, Kristen has volunteered as a literacy tutor for school-aged children, a copy editor for Ricepaper Magazine, and as treasurer for the Vancouver Historical Society.
Current role and responsibilities
Kristen is responsible for the training and supervision of student staff, coordinating administrative activities for IKBLC led initiatives such as the Small Business Accelerator and the BC History Digitization Project.
Contact
Email: kristen.wong@ubc.ca
The Indigitization Tool Kit for First Nations Community Digitization Projects (June 25, 1.30pm)
The Indigitization Tool Kit is a how-to resource for First Nations communities digitizing cultural materials, such as open reel audio tapes from oral histories. Special guest Khelsilem will also speak about his involvement in the project.
Event hosted by Mimi Lam (UBC Librarian, Digital Projects), Gerry Lawson (Oral History Lab Coordinator, Audrey & Harry Hawthorn Library & Archives at MOA), and special guest Khelsilem (formerly Dustin Rivers), a Squamish/ Kwakwaka’wakw student, cultural educator and language enthusiast.
This event is part of the Aboriginal (Un)History Month events, coordinated by UBC Library, in partnership with the Musqueam Indian Band, the Centre for Teaching and Learning Technology and the Museum of Anthropology.
Location: Dodson Room (302), Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, University of British Columbia
Date: June 25, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
For more information, please visit website.
For more information about the Indigitization Toolkit, please find here.
Nursery Rhymes and Calligraphy : when poetry meets art
Image Credit: Westcoast Calligraphy Society
Please join us for an exciting afternoon lecture by Judi Saltman on July 26, 5.00-6.00pm at the Lillooet Room (Rm #301) of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.
Judi Saltman is Professor at the School of Library, Archival & Information Studies, at the University of British Columbia and Chair of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature Program at the University of British Columbia. Judi teaches courses in children’s and young adult literature and public library services for youth. Her research areas include Canadian and international literature for children and young adults, publishing and the book trade for children in Canada, illustrated books, and services for children and young adults in public libraries.
In this talk, Judi will present nursery rhymes and the art of calligraphy, when poetry meets art, as part of program that celebrates the month-long exhibition at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre titled, “A Pocketful of Rhymes.”
The Westcoast Calligraphy Society is an enthusiastic group of people with a common bond–a love of all things calligraphic. Members share their knowledge of design, colour, illustration, bookbinding, paper making and our other talents with everyone interested in the art of letters. Many of its members teach beginning and more advanced calligraphy throughtout the Lower Mainland. The Society began life in September 1978 as the Society for Italic Handwriting, B. C. Branch. As the Society grew and its members’ interests expanded, the focus broadened to all types of calligraphy and in June 1986, the name was changed to Westcoast Calligraphy Society.
“A Pocketful of Rhymes” has been shown at venues in the Lower Mainland. Between October 4 to 30, 2011, at the Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, B.C. Between January and February 2012, at the Fleetwood Library, 1986 – 84th Avenue, Surrey, B.C.
Website for registration: http://nursery.eventbrite.com/
For more information, please contact: Susan Andrews (susan.andrews@ubc.ca) or Allan Cho (allan.cho@ubc.ca)