Congrats to our October graduates!

October 5, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

Our Oct 2018 MIM graduates. Photo credit: Michelle Hunter

The Fall 2018 Faculty of Management convocation ceremony took place on Tuesday, October 2nd.

SIM extends congratulations to the seven MIM students who graduated this week. Your future is bright and you should be very proud of your accomplishments! Chris Donnelly was the recipient of the SIM Director’s Award, which is awarded to the MIM grad with the highest overall GPA.

To all alumni: We consider you to be part of the SIM family and look forward to hearing about your successes and supporting you in your ongoing careers. Please continue to communicate with us via email, Facebook, Twitter (@dalsimnews), and this blog.

SIMAA Event Welcomes Students & Celebrates Peers

October 4, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

The SIM Alumni Association (SIMAA) hosted their annual Welcome Reception & Outstanding Alumni Award Presentation on Monday, September 24th in Room 3089, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building. Attendees mingled, snacked on delicious hors d’oeuvres, and listened to remarks from SIMAA Chair David McDonald (MLIS ’99), SIM Associate Professor Vivian Howard (MLIS ’95), and SIM Director Sandra Toze. Sandra distributed gifts to alumni celebrating anniversaries (from 5 to 38 years!) on behalf of Marianne Hagen (Alumni Officer, Faculty of Management).

The 2018 Outstanding Alumni Award was presented to Dr. Fiona Black. Dr. Black shared some special career memories and gave incoming students some tips for “a joyous life as an information professional”. Those tips are: 1. Aim for excellence, and help others to join you, 2. Be inclusive, walk the walk, and make the right things happen, and 3. turn a potential whine on its head, think constructively about a resolution – all important tips for everyone to keep in mind! Dr. Black also gave special thanks to her colleagues in SIM, Dr. Bertrum MacDonald (who kickstarted her life as an academic) and to her MLIS and MIM students throughout the years.

SIM is proud of the legacy of our programs, and the connection we continue to have with our alumni. This event is always a wonderful opportunity for SIM alumni, students, faculty and staff to catch up and network.

Cheers to all alumni and friends who joined us on September 24th – we hope to see you again soon!

(Perhaps during our 50th anniversary celebrations?!)

Job Posting: Lecturer, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (SIM)

September 21, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

School of Information Management
Dalhousie University
Lecturer, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor

The School of Information Management (SIM) invites applications for a probationary tenure-track, tenure-track or tenured position at the rank of Lecturer, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor commencing July 1^st 2019 (negotiable).

The Faculty of Management is developing a new Masters program in Digital Innovation jointly with the Faculty of Computer Science. Positions relating to this new program are being advertised in the Faculty of Computer Science, Rowe School of Business, and School of Information Management. It is an occasion to join a strong and diversified team, in an environment where new programs are being introduced. Please see also the Rowe School of Business posting (https://blogs.dal.ca/academiccareers/2018/09/21/rowe-school-of-business-career-stream/) and Computer Science posting (https://blogs.dal.ca/academiccareers/2018/09/21/faculty-of-computer-science-career-stream/) for details on those positions and how to apply. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications to more than one competition.

This position combines teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities. The School seeks candidates with a strong interest in, and capacity for, interdisciplinary research. Candidates will be expected to teach in at least two programs at the graduate or undergraduate levels. Professional information management experience will be an asset.

The successful candidate will have a PhD (or ABD status) in information management or a related discipline, with research expertise and/or teaching experience in one or more of the following areas:

Data management, including analytics, visualization, curation, and preservation
Information systems
Information risk management
New and emerging media and/or technology, including digital transformation
Other relevant areas including organizational learning, collaboration, user experience, or knowledge management

The SIM (http://sim.management.dal.ca) offers two graduate programs: the American Library Association-accredited Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) program, and the mid-career blended learning Master of Information Management (MIM) program. At the undergraduate level, the School provides core and elective courses in the Bachelor of Management program, delivered collaboratively with the three other schools in the Faculty of Management. The School also participates in Dalhousie’s Interdisciplinary PhD program.

The SIM is part of the interdisciplinary Faculty of Management (http://www.dal.ca/faculty/management.html), which also includes the School of Public Administration, the School for Resource and Environmental Studies, and the Rowe School of Business. The Faculty of Management’s mission is to collaboratively advance management knowledge and practice, and its vision is inspiring managerial solutions to transform lives. We seek an additional colleague who will contribute to, and thrive in, this environment.

Dalhousie University (http://www.dal.ca/) is one of Canada’s leading teaching and research universities, with four professional faculties; a Faculty of Graduate Studies; and a diverse complement of graduate programs. Inter-faculty collaborative and interactive research is encouraged, as is cooperation in teaching. Dalhousie University inspires students, faculty, staff and alumni to make significant contributions regionally, nationally, and to the world.

Dalhousie University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Halifax is a vibrant capital city and is the business, academic, and medical centre for Canada’s east coast.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.

Review of applications will begin on October 22, 2018. To receive full consideration, please submit your application by this deadline. Applications received after October 22 may also be considered.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of past teaching evaluations, and statements of teaching philosophy and of research interests. (Each statement should be approximately one page.) Applications must also include a completed Self-Identification Questionnaire, which is available at www.dal.ca/becounted/selfid.

Applications should be directed to:

Ms. Kim Humes
School of Information Management
Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building
6100 University Avenue, Suite 4010
PO BOX 15000
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
sim@dal.ca
Fax: 902-494-2451
Voice: 902-494-3656

Electronic applications are preferred.

MLIS Alumna Appointed CEO/Chief Librarian, Brantford Public Library

September 20, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

Rae-Lynne Aramburo (MLIS ’02) has been appointed the new CEO/Chief Librarian at Brantford Public Library. Congrats Rae-Lynne!

From the media release:

“After a meticulous and thorough search process, the Library Board determined that Rae-Lynne’s leadership style, focus on customer-service excellence and broad-based experience make her the ideal candidate to lead Brantford Public Library into the future,” said Brantford Public Library Board Chair Marion McGeein.

Aramburo joined the Brantford Public Library in November, 2015 as Manager, Customer Engagement and has been Acting CEO/Chief Librarian since former CEO Kathryn Goodhue retired at the end of May 2018.

“We’ve selected someone who will be able to guide important initiatives currently underway, while creating new opportunities that build on the Library’s vision and strategic plan,” said McGeein. “Rae-Lynne’s strong relationship-building skills, her proven ability to turn plans into action – most recently with responsibility for implementing the new service delivery model – coupled with her enthusiasm for gaining understanding of the community and its needs, equip her to move into this leadership role.”

MLIS Alumna Appointed New Scholarly Communications Librarian

August 28, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

Re-posted from LibVine (the Dalhousie Libraries blog):

We are pleased to announce Melissa Rothfus (MLIS ’13) is the new Scholarly Communications Librarian for the Dalhousie Libraries.

Melissa worked both as an intern and as a term librarian for the Dalhousie Libraries and we are thrilled to be welcoming her back. In addition to her work with the Dalhousie Libraries, Melissa has been a research associate with the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation and with CNODES (Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effectiveness Studies).

Melissa comes to us with an extensive teaching and research background. Prior to becoming a librarian, she obtained a PhD in Classics and worked as a Classics professor at several universities in History and Classics departments.

As the Scholarly Communications Librarian, Melissa will focus on programming that promotes education throughout the community on issues such as open access publishing and methods of tracking research impact.

In addition, Melissa will also be the subject liaison for the School of Nursing. She is based at the W. K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library.

Fiona Black: The 2018 Outstanding Alumni Award Winner

August 22, 2018 Kim Humes 2 Comments

Dalhousie University’s School of Information Management (SIM) Alumni Association is pleased to recognize Dr. Fiona Black of Dalhousie University with the 2018 Outstanding Alumni Award. This annual award honours a member who has made an outstanding contribution to Library and Information Management.

Dr. Black graduated with her MLIS from Dalhousie in 1993. Subsequently, she completed her PhD at Loughborough University in the UK, graduating in 1999. After two years as an International Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida she returned to Dalhousie as a tenure stream faculty member in SIM. She was appointed Director of the School in 2003, a position she held until 2010. During her tenure as School Director, Dr. Black led the School through a period of growth and change. Most significantly, Dr. Black championed the development of a mid-career blended learning graduate degree, the Master of Information Management (MIM), which has been a significant factor in SIM’s increased national profile.

From 2008 to 2010, Dr. Black was also Associate Dean External Programs for the Faculty of Management, and in 2012 she became Associate Dean Research for the Faculty. In 2013, her leadership and administrative talents were recognized by the President and Provost, and she was appointed Associate Vice President, Academic, and became a vital member of Dalhousie University’s senior administrative team.

Dr Black’s research has consistently involved two distinct threads: the history of print culture, for which she was awarded several team and individual research awards by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; and, professional issues for librarians and other information professionals. With both of these threads, Dr Black speaks of her joy in working with, and learning from, many superb graduate research assistants and thesis students.

In addition to her demanding role at Dalhousie, Dr. Black has been an active contributor to professional associations, including service to the accreditation arm of ALA. Prior to her career as an academic, Dr. Black was a reference librarian at Regina Public Library, specializing in business and in Prairie History. She often credits this experience with developing her service-oriented approach to collaboration, her patience, and her sense of humour when dealing with challenging circumstances.

In the words of one of her supporters, “Fiona is a gifted instructor who is able to empower students to achieve high academic standards, while at the same time imbuing them with a strong appreciation of the importance of professional competencies for the variety of career paths that the information management field offers.”

Many of her nominators and supporters spoke of Dr. Black’s “generosity with time and advice, even when busy with her administrative duties for the university,” and remembered how she inspired them with her trademark statement, “information managers are going to take over the world.”

SIMAA invites you to join us in congratulating Fiona on her award at the SIMAA Welcome Reception on September 24th, 2018 at the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, Rm 3087/3089. An invitation with RSVP will follow.

MLIS Alumna Appointed New Interim AUL Resources & Head of Sexton Library

August 14, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

Congrats to Michelle Paon (MLIS ’98), who has been appointed Interim Associate University Librarian and Head of the Sexton Design & Technology Library.

From the Dalhousie Libraries blog:

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Paon as Interim Associate University Librarian and Head of the Sexton Design & Technology Library. As Associate University Librarian – Resources, she oversees the Libraries’ acquisitions budget, and works closely with the Resources Management Librarian and library staff across the system who select, acquire and provide access to relevant scholarly resources in a variety of formats. As Interim Head of the Sexton Library, she oversees the provision of library resources and services to faculty and students in the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Architecture and Planning.

Michelle Paon has been a science librarian at the Dalhousie Libraries since 2002, supporting faculty and students in the study of biology, the environment, oceanography, and marine management, and for shorter periods, psychology and neuroscience, sustainability, and Indigenous issues.

Michelle was actively involved in the establishment of the DalSpace online research repository and the Killam Library Learning Commons – at the time, both ground-breaking projects for a Canadian research library. She has served on the Curriculum Committees of the Dalhousie Faculty of Science and College of Sustainability. In recent years, she has partnered with colleagues at the Dalhousie Writing Centre to provide integrated research-writing services for students and to conduct related research. Michelle has also provided mentorship and inspiration in the Dal Libraries as a leader in the delivery of effective liaison librarian services.

Michelle holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from St. Francis Xavier University. She is a member of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association and is a past President and life member of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science. Her researchinterests include collaborative service initiatives, open access, information literacy, and environmental history.

MLIS Alumna Organizes Correctional Facility Book Club

July 27, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

Janice Fiander (MLIS ’95 & Manager, Alderney Gate & Dartmouth North branches, Halifax Public Libraries) is featured in this Star Halifax article about Page Turners Book Club for inmates of the Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth, NS.

Read the full article here:

HALIFAX—Twelve months ago, two Halifax women entered the province’s largest jail, not to serve sentences, but to start a book club. The program continues today, with more than 50 men having participated, and its organizers would like to see it grow to serve more inmates in more facilities. Individuals from Halifax Public Libraries and the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia partnered to bring the book club to the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility (CNSCF) last spring.

By mid-July, they gained access to the medium-security jail, and brought with them a few hundred books for the men inside. Janice Fiander, manager of the Alderney Gate and Dartmouth North libraries, is an organizer of the book club. She travels to the jail in Dartmouth once a week to spend a couple of hours facilitating the program. She said inmates can be easily ignored or misunderstood by those on the outside. Spending time with the men in CNSCF through the book club called Page Turners has illuminated for her some of their experiences.

“Going in and doing the book club really opens your eyes to (the inmates’) challenges and their issues, and in particular their challenges for when they’re released, and their reintegration,” she said.

The people incarcerated at CNSCF — 95 per cent of them are male —are either serving sentences of less than two years or awaiting trial. Fiander said one of the goals of the book club is to build a bridge to the outside world by giving inmates a connection to public libraries and the John Howard Society. Once released, they can turn to those organizations for support.

L to R: Jennifer Haigh (John Howard Society of NS) and Janice Fiander [photo credit: TARYN GRANT/FOR STARMETRO]

Class of 1978 Reunion + SIM’s 50th Anniversary!

June 26, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

This lovely update was recently shared with us by MLIS alumna, Sharon Longard: The MLS graduating class of 1978 celebrated our 40th anniversary June 13th, 2018 with a luncheon at the Waegwoltic Club in Halifax.

It is wonderful to see our alumni keeping in touch after so many years.
(L-R back row) Marg Machum, Marion MacArthur, Sharon Longard, Eric Richards / (L-R front row) Linda Hodgins, Joan Fage and Linda Keddy / (Not pictured) Christina Corkett

SIM IS TURNING 50!

We are excited about the possibility of more reunions, as we move into our 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2019! Planning is underway, and we want to hear from alumni of all programs (MLS, MLIS and MIM). We will be forming a committee over the summer, and we encourage you to get involved! We would love to have representation from all locations, sectors and years. Please contact us at sim@dal.ca if you are interested in helping out, or have any ideas.

More details to come as plans are finalized. Keep an eye on our website, this blog (specifically the 50th Anniversary category), our Facebook and Twitter pages (hashtag #SIM50), and your email inbox. We look forward to reconnecting with you.

MLIS Alum Spearheads Airport Library Project

June 20, 2018 Kim Humes Leave a Comment

Dave MacNeil (MLIS ’09 – manager of collections and access, Halifax Public Libraries) is featured in this article (The Star Halifax) discussing new library kiosks at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. More great ideas from HPL!

From the article: “Wednesday will mark a book launch of a totally different kind as a joint venture between Halifax Public Libraries and Halifax Stanfield International Airport takes flight.

The unveiling of two library kiosks — one located pre-security, the other post-security — will provide travellers, airport staff and local residents with the opportunity to check out a varied collection of between 350 and 400 books.

Described as similar to “big, glass-doored fridges,” the two kiosks will be stocked with books accessed by using a Halifax Public Libraries card.

“You simply scan in your card, type in your PIN number, open the door and browse the books in there. Then you take what you want, close the door, and you’re good to go. It’s very easy to use,” said Dave MacNeil, manager of collections and access for Halifax Public Libraries.

The RFID tags on the books — a radio frequency identification similar to the tech on credit and debit cards that allow users to tap to pay — will tell the kiosk when a book has been removed. Once a user selects a book and closes the door, the kiosk scans what’s inside, knows which book is not there, applies the borrowed book to the user’s account and prints out a receipt.

MacNeil said a little more than a year ago, the airport approached them about a partnership to help promote the library’s digital resources. That discussion quickly grew into a partnership to co-share the cost of two kiosks to provide a physical library presence at the airport.

“We’re trying to cater to all audiences so there’s a good mix of general fiction for adults, picture books and board books for kids, lots of quick reads that would include short stories, general trivia, your Chicken Soup type books, travel books,” MacNeil said.

“All things you can pick up if you’re travelling to pass some time waiting for your flight or choose from any of the number of novels that you might want to take with you on your trip.”

MacNeil said the kiosks are similar to “an unstaffed branch,” with all the same rules in place. You can have your books for three weeks, renew them online if need be, and drop them back off at the kiosk, a drop-off box at the airport’s baggage pick-up area, or at any of the 14 library branches across HRM.

Although the book-borrowing kiosks are initially limited for the time being to those who possess a Halifax Public Libraries card, MacNeil said they’re looking at ways to expand the system.”

[photo credit: YVETTE D’ENTREMONT /STARMETRO]

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News from the School of Information Management

Category: Alumni