By: Toni Beaton (First-year MI Student)
Congratulations to the Information Without Borders Conference team for a very successful and educational event! This annual conference has been organized by our MLIS (Master of Library and Information Studies) and MI (Master of Information) students for more than 10 years.
The 2023 IWB Committee is:
- Co-Chairs – Alysha Try & Kory Melnick
- Programming Chair – Michelle Westerkamp
- Logistics Chair – Kellie Dalton
- Web & Communications Chair – Toni Beaton
- Finance & Fundraising Chair – Annette Amenta
- Registration Chair – Alison Brierley
On Friday, February 10th, attendees gathered at the McInnes Room in the Dalhousie Student Union Building to hear various talks related to the theme of “Changing the Information Avenue”. The opening “Literacy Lightning Talks” featured several speakers who explored various themes in literacy, including topics such as cultural literacy, food literacy, music literacy, and more (see below). Three guest speakers, Dr. Stacy Alison-Cassin, Jennifer LaPlante, and Hansel Cook, all explored information access and decolonization, the digital advancement of artificial intelligence technology, and digital institutional repositories, respectively. The closing “Future of G.L.A.M.” panel, moderated by SIM Director Sandra Toze, featured several professionals in the fields of public librarianship, academic librarianship, and museums (see below).
Literacy Lightning Talks
- Food Literacy: Emily Mathew, Food Literacy Specialist, HPL
- Data Literacy: Julie Marcoux, Data Librarian, Dal Libraries
- Health Literacy: Kristy Hancock, Evidence Synthesis Coordinator, MSSU
- Information Literacy: Lindsay McNiff, Learning & Instruction Librarian, Dal Libraries
- Legal Literacy: David Michels, Public Services Librarian
- Financial Literacy: Samantha Taylor, Senior Instructor, Rowe School of Business
- Musical Literacy: Diana Doublet, Orchestra Librarian, Symphony Nova Scotia
- Cultural Literacy: Amani Saleh, Newcomers Engagement Specialist, HPL
The Future of G.L.A.M. Panelists
- Michael Vandenburg, University Librarian, Dalhousie Libraries
- Elinor Crosby, Manager, Programming and Community Engagement (Western District), Halifax Public Libraries
- Maggie MacIntyre, Executive Director of the Association of Nova Scotia Museums
- Suzanne van den Hoogen, University Librarian, Saint Mary’s University
- Jeff Mercer, Deputy CEO, South Shore Public Libraries

From Left to Right: Christina (Volunteer), Annette (Fundraising & Finance), Toni (Web & Communications), Alysha (Co-Chair), Kory (Co-Chair), Kellie (Logistics), Alison (Registration), Michelle (Programming)
- Dr. Stacy Alison-Cassin
- Jennifer LaPlante
- Hansel Cook
- The Future of G.L.A.M. Panelists: Elinor Crosby, Jeff Mercer, Michael Vandenburg, Suzanne van den Hoogen, Maggie MacIntyre, and moderator Sandra Toze
- IWB 2023 Committee Registration Chair, Alison Brierley
- The IWB 2023 Committee Co-Chairs, and fearless leaders! Alysha Try & Kory Melnick
- A group of first- and second-year MI students eagerly awaiting the start to the conference.
- Alysha and Kory provide their opening remarks and land acknowledgement.
Here’s to another fascinating conference in 2024!
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