Canadian School Libraries Board of Directors
Anita Brooks Kirkland, Chair & Treasurer
As a writer, presenter and consultant, Anita Brooks Kirkland specializes in the areas of information and digital literacy and the role of the school library learning commons. She draws on her extensive experience as a teacher educator, both as an instructor in teacher-librarianship for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, and in her previous role as the Consultant for K-12 Libraries at the Waterloo Region District School Board. Anita was a contributing writer to Together for Learning, Ontario’s guideline document for the school library learning commons. Anita is very active in professional organizations. She was the 2014 president of the Ontario Library Association, and has also served as president of the Ontario School Library Association (2005) and co-chaired The Association of Library Consultants and Coordinators of Ontario (2011-13). Anita shares an extensive collection of program resources, articles, and presentations on her website and blog, www.bythebrooks.ca.
Carol Koechlin, Vice-Chair
Carol Koechlin is an experienced educator who has contributed to the field of information literacy and school librarianship writing professional books, articles for professional journals, facilitating on-line courses, and presenting workshops in Canada, United States and Australia. Working with Dr. David V.Loertscher, the team has developed foundations for the transformation of school libraries and computer labs into a Physical and Virtual participatory Learning Commons. Explore their work at The School Library Learning Commons – Future Forward. Carol is a co-founder of Treasure Mountain Canada (TMC) and has co-chaired TMC Symposiums since 2010. Carol was a contributing writer for Together for Learning: School Libraries and the Emergence of the Learning Commons and writing coordinator for Leading Learning: Standards Of Practice For School Library Learning Commons In Canada (Canadian Library Association, 2014). Carol’s favourite saying, “Empower students to own the question.”
Judith Sykes, Secretary
Judith has been a teacher, teacher-librarian, district school library specialist, and elementary school principal for the Calgary Board of Education in Alberta, Canada. She was the provincial school library manager for the Alberta Ministry of Education, leading the School Library Services Initiative 2008-2012. Judith consults, has led library and leadership associations, and has published and presented extensively including acting as committee co-chair/principal writer of Achieving Information Literacy Through Quality School Library Programs: The Vision and Standards for School Library Programs in Canada (Canadian Library Association 2003, 2006) and project coordinator/ contributing writer for Leading Learning: Standards Of Practice For School Library Learning Commons In Canada (Canadian Library Association, 2014). She is currently a director of Canadian School Libraries (CSL). Judith is the author of five books with Libraries Unlimited; the latest is The Whole School Library Learning Commons: An Educator’s Guide (Fall 2016).
Richard Beaudry, Member-at-Large
Richard Beaudry is an Information Specialist and Librarian. He has worked as a teacher-librarian in K-12 schools and taught classes in the diploma and master’s programs in Teacher Librarianship at the University of British Columbia. Richard is an ALA Certified Librarian and a Fellow of the Library Association of Ireland. Richard is particularly known for his activities to promote human rights and freedom of information, particularly as they relate to the censorship of materials in school libraries. Richard was the recipient of the 2016 Canadian Library Association Award for the Advancement of Intellectual Freedom in Canada. Richard chairs the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) Intellectual Freedom Committee, as our CSL representative.
Joseph Jeffery, Member-at-Large
Joseph Jeffery is the District Learning Commons Teacher-Librarian in School District 57 – Prince George, BC where he supports teacher-librarians in creating and maintaining information literacy rich library learning commons programming, designing participatory and flexible learning spaces, and developing culturally responsive library learning commons. Beyond teacher-librarians, he is in charge of digital resource acquisition and training for all teachers, as well as building and advertising the many physical kits and novel sets housed in the District Learning Commons. Outside of school, Joseph is an avid gamer of all types from card to tabletop to video games and enjoys being transported to imaginative worlds of science fiction and fantasy as a reader.
Melanie Mulcaster, Member-at-Large
Melanie Mulcaster is on secondment to TVO as an Instructional Liaison. Previously she was the Coordinator for School Library Learning Commons and the Professional Library with the Peel District School Board in Ontario. Melanie is a past member of the Ontario School Library Association Council. A life long learner and maker, she is passionate about inspiring and empowering modern learners to discover, connect, innovate and explore. On Twitter, she is @the_mulc.
Former Board Members
Founding CSL Board Member (Term 2016 – 2018): Jo-Anne Gibson
Jo-Anne is a teacher-librarian at Fort Richmond Collegiate in the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg. She is currently the past president of the Manitoba School Library Association and is the Communications Director for Canadian School Libraries. Jo-Anne was presented with the Angela Thacker Memorial Award in 2013 and the Manitoba Teacher-Librarian of the Year award in 2009. She earned a Master of Education degree from the U. of Manitoba and a Diploma in Teacher-Librarianship from the U. of Alberta. Jo-Anne is in demand throughout the province as a speaker on a wide range of topics specifically pertinent to school libraries and teachers in the 21st century. Jo-Anne was on the founding board of Canadian School Libraries, after serving on the working group that created the organization.
Founding CSL Board Member (Term 2016 – 2019: Liz Kerr
Liz Kerr has been an influential leader in school librarianship. She influenced generations of teacher-librarians as the Library Coordinator at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in Ontario and as an Additional Qualifications instructor for Queen’s University in school librarianship. Liz has been very active in professional organizations, serving as president of the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) in 1996 and the Ontario Library Association (OLA) in 2003. As the OLA Education Director, Liz was responsible for organizing Canada’s largest library conference and other association signature events. Liz is a co-founder of Treasure Mountain Canada (TMC) and has been a key organizer of TMC Symposiums since 2010. Liz was on the founding board of Canadian School Libraries, after serving on the working group that created the organization.
Former Board Member: Caroline Freibauer (1961 – 2022)
Caroline Freibauer was a teacher librarian at St. Michael’s Michael’s College in Toronto, and previously at Assumption College School in Brantford. Her conviction that school libraries make a difference led her on four Teacher Learning and Leadership Program (TLLP) investigations on how inquiry, critical thinking and analyzing qualitative data can support student learning. She was past-president of The Association of Library Co-ordinators of Ontario, editor of the Ontario School Library Association’s The Teaching Librarian Magazine and past chair of the Brantford Public Library Board. Caroline was also a member of the CSL Journal editorial board. Please read this tribute to Caroline in CSL Journal.