Library Management

Profiles and contact information for the Library Directors.

Paul Whitney, City Librarian

Paul joined Vancouver Public Library as City Librarian in June 2003. Paul has served in national, provincial and local leadership positions including President of the Canadian Library Association and the British Columbia Library Association. He currently Chairs the following groups: Library and Archives Canada Council on Access to Information for Print-Disabled Canadians and the Canadian Urban Library Council Copyright Committee. Paul serves on the International Federation of Library Associations Governing Board and is the Board liaison to the IFLA Copyright and Other Legal Matters Committee.

In 2002, Paul received the Canadian Library Association’s Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award and the British Columbia Library Association President’s Award for contributions to the Association. In 2001, he received the University of British Columbia’s School of Library, Archival and Information Studies Alumni Service and Leadership Award.

As a Sessional Lecturer, Paul taught graduate courses on public libraries and collection management at UBC’s School of Library, Archival and Information Studies from 1983 to 2002.

Paul graduated with a BA from the University of Saskatchewan in 1969 and received his Masters of Library Science from the University of British Columbia in 1974.

604-331-4003 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Executive Assistant: Chrysalyn Tolentino, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Diana Guinn, Director, Neighbourhood & Youth Services

Diana joined Vancouver Public Library in February 2007. She leads a team of five managers and oversees service delivery in 21 Library branch locations as well as children’s and youth services. Diana has twenty-five years experience in libraries throughout British Columbia and Manitoba.

Before joining VPL, Diana was Chief Librarian at Port Moody Public Library and led the library through significant growth including: implementation of year-round Sunday openings, fund development planning and creating a building expansion committee. Prior to her time at Port Moody, Diana was Director, Systems and Technical Services at Fraser Valley Regional Library. Diana has been involved with the BC Library Association Executive, serving as President and Treasurer. Diana has a Masters of Library Science and completed a Certificate in Leadership in the Public Sector from Royal Roads University in 2008.

604-331-4009 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Shelagh Flaherty, Director, Central Library

Shelagh joined Vancouver Public Library in 1977. As Director of the landmark Central Library, she oversees public and online services, multicultural and immigrant services and InfoAction, the Library’s fee-based research service. Working with the Director, Neighbourhood & Youth Services she is responsible for development of information, reference and electronic services. Shelagh was formerly Division Head, Business & Economics and was the Planning Librarian for the Central Library. Shelagh’s experience also includes Division Head, Circulation, Interlibrary Loan & Quick Information Service, extensive project work and many years as a reference librarian. Shelagh is a member of the Canadian and British Columbia Library Associations and the Public Libraries division of the American Libraries Association.

Shelagh is a graduate of the Leadership Vancouver Program and an active community volunteer. She is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Information Safe House Drop-In Centre Society (WISH) based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, one of Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods.

604-331-4001 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Teresa Hartman, Director, Human Resources - On Secondment

Teresa joined Vancouver Public Library in 1989 as a Student Librarian and before assuming Director responsibilities was one of the Library’s Human Resources Consultants. Prior to joining the Human Resources department, Teresa was the Public Service Manager, Science & Business. She has also been a Branch Head, Reference Librarian, Children's Librarian and has undertaken extensive project work for the Library.

As an Adjunct Professor for the University of BC's School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, Teresa has co-taught graduate courses in Human Resource Management for Libraries and Management of Information Organizations.

Teresa's community involvement includes many years as an active leader with the Girl Guides of Canada; Board Chair, Vancouver Civic Employees Association Program; Advisory Board, Langara College’s Library Technician Program; Admissions Committee, UBC’s School of Library, Archival and Information Studies. Teresa completed a Masters of Library Science in 1990 and Masters of Business Administration from Royal Roads University in 2007. Teresa resides in Vancouver’s Sunset neighbourhood.

604-331-4052 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Jean Kavanagh, Manager, Marketing & Communications

Jean joined Vancouver Public Library in June 2007 having held senior communications positions in the government and non-profit sectors. Prior to her communications work, Jean was a reporter in Vancouver, Toronto and abroad.

604-331-3895 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Debbie Schachter, Director, Technology & Collection Management

Debbie joined Vancouver Public Library in 2008 as Manager, East Area and became Director, Technology & Collection Management in February 2009. Prior to joining VPL, Debbie worked in a variety of library and non-profit positions including Associate Executive Director for the Jewish Family Service Agency; Head, Strategic Planning & Development / Associate Executive Director, B.C. Courthouse Library Society; Systems Librarian, Pacific Press Library.

Debbie writes a regular column in the Special Library Association (SLA) Information Outlook magazine on business and management issues. She is currently Assistant Treasurer/Treasurer-Elect, BC Library Association, and Past-President, SLA Western Canada Chapter. Debbie completed a Masters of Library Science in 1990 from the University of British Columbia and a Masters of Business Administration in the Management of Technology from Simon Fraser University in 2002.

604-331-4070 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Eric Smith, Director, Corporate Services

Eric joined Vancouver Public Library in December 1985. He obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 1979 and prior to taking up his position at the Library worked at Thorne Riddell Chartered Accountants (now KPMG). Eric is married to Trish and has three daughters: one in university and two in high school. Eric is active in soccer as an assistant coach for both of his daughters’ teams as well as a referee.

604-331-4018 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ingrid Van Kemenade, Acting Director, Human Resources

Ingrid joined the Library in January 2010 on a part-time basis. She joined the City of Vancouver in 1998 as a Human Resources Consultant for the Board of Parks & Recreation. Ingrid is currently the Manager, Compensation, Benefits & Systems for the City of Vancouver, Human Resource Services.

Ingrid relocated to Vancouver from London, Ontario in 1998. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a BA in Sociology and completed her Human Resource Management certification at Fanshawe College.

604-331-4052 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Daphne Wood, Director, Planning & Development

Daphne joined Vancouver Public Library in March 2009. Her experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors includes strategic planning, media relations and brand management. She is a graduate of Carleton University's school of Journalism with a Masters of Business Administration from Royal Roads University and an Executive Masters of Library Information Science from San Jose State University.

Daphne is a community facilitator and graduate of Bay Area Leadership, a community development program in southern Ontario. She is an experienced presenter with the Ontario Library Association and the Canadian Library Association. Daphne co-authors a column in Feliciter (CLA) about leadership and change management issues.

604-331-4006 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

james.bond@vpl.ca