The Future of Libraries: Ours to Create, NOW!
Exploring the significant challenges facing library leaders. 

Oct. 19-20, 2015

www.TheFutureofLibraries.org

A full two-day institute for CEOs, University/College Librarians, government and special library directors, and their senior staff and managers, to get beyond the nostalgia, platitudes and cliches to explore the significant challenges facing library leaders. A unique program planned by and for public library CEOs/Directors, College and University Librarians and their senior staff, as well as special and government library directors and their staff.

In a world filled with turbulent change, are libraries keeping pace?  Are they innovating and engaging their communities with all the opportunities available?  Are they choosing the right focus and priorities?  Join us for spirited discussions and interactive problem-solving!
Speakers:
Jane Dysart, Dysart & Jones Associates;  
Stephen Abram, Lighthouse Consulting
Lee Rainie, Pew Internet & American Life Project
Susan Hildreth, Executive Director, Peninsula Library System, former Director, IMLS
Scott Hargrove, CEO Fraser Valley Regional Library
Moe Hosseini-Ara, Culture, City of Markham  
Susan Plamondon, Chief Administrative Officer, King Township (invited)
Larry Alford, Chief Librarian, University of Toronto
Elizabeth O’Brien, Co-ordinator, User Services, University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus
Rebecca Raven, CEO, Brampton Public Library
Paul Takala, CEO, Hamilton Public Library
Tanis Fink, ‎Director, Seneca Libraries and Learning Services, Seneca College (invited)
Andrea Cecchetto, Manager, Learning & Growth, Markham Public Library
Brendan Howley, Journalist & Consultant
This symposium has been a success in Toronto in 2014, LA in 2015, Vancouver in 2015 and more.  Comments on past symposia included:
  • Overall the most significant symposium I have attended as a professional librarian.
  • I wish I could have brought more of my team!
  • Each speaker offered a perspective that inspired deeper thinking.
  • Good mix of presentation, discussion and networking. 
  • Variety and pace was great.
  • Great conference, challenging topics.
  • Thanks very much for challenging the assumptions!
  • Great event, bringing together thought leaders to explore tough issues facing all types of libraries.
  • Loved the mixture of webinar and on the ground; kept me interested and engaged
  • Every session had great insights & made me think about services and organization.
  • Love having smart people from outside “library land”
  • Fantastic event! Validates that urgent change needs to happen.
  • I got so many ideas that make me think about services/programs and structure.
  • New ideas; new perspectives; very useful.
  • My brain processes were ignited!
  • The best conference I’ve attended in some time.


You got it right! 
University of Toronto, Faculty of Information
140 St George Street, 7th Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 3G6


Conference co-chairs

Jane Dysart
Jane co-founded Dysart & Jones in 1992 and is an internet and social media pioneer. She created and programmed Internet World Canada for many years, and is currently the program director for KMWorld , Digital Strategy Summit, Internet Librarian, Taxonomy Boot Camp and Computers in Libraries. 

Click here for more on Jane.

Stephen Abram
Stephen, MLS, founded Lighthouse Consulting Inc. in 2013 as a marketing strategy and direction planning consultant for libraries and the information industry.  He is a renowned library trend watcher and innovator and author of Stephen’s Lighthouse blog, one of the most popular blogs in librarianship and the information industry.

Click here for more on Stephen.