Take the time to step back from your day to day issues and challenges to focus on positioning your organization for a sustainable future. In an intimate setting, look at fast approaching trends, discuss key issues with colleagues and industry leaders, get new insights and perspectives, leave energized with new ideas for the future!
This symposium covers all the hot topics of our world: trends, practices, collections, staff, technology, change and positioning for a successful future. It brings together speakers from different backgrounds and perspectives to look at our challenges in different ways and find innovative and creative new solutions for library success and impact in their various communities.
Registration Includes:
Speakers
Comments From Previous Attendees:
This symposium covers all the hot topics of our world: trends, practices, collections, staff, technology, change and positioning for a successful future. It brings together speakers from different backgrounds and perspectives to look at our challenges in different ways and find innovative and creative new solutions for library success and impact in their various communities.
Registration Includes:
- 2 days of programming including light breakfasts and catered lunches
- First evening reception in the new iSchool Inforum
- Bag of goodies with a unique Canada 150 print from our digital artist; copy of Don Tapscott’s book Blockchain for first 25 registrants; and maybe more!
- Chance to win a copy of the newly released book, Building Smarter Organizations, but also an opportunity to buy one & have it signed by the author
- Lots of networking opportunities with colleagues and speakers
Speakers
- EEPMON, Digital Artisan
- Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library
- Andrea Cecchetto, Manager Learning & Growth, Markham Public Library
- Christina de Castell, Director, Collections & Technology, Vancouver Public Library and former Manager, Policy & Advocacy, IFLA
- Jessica Darling, Senior Librarian, CPP Investment
- Barbara Franchetto, CEO, Southern Ontario Library Service
- Brendan Howley, former CBC TV investigative journalist & passionate library supporter
- Daniel P. Lee, Consultant, Corporate Librarian and Knowledge Manager
- Lori Oja, Executive Director, Health Science Information Consortium of Toronto
- Leif Pedersen, EVP, Product, Innovative Interfaces Inc.
- Dan Pontefract, Chief Envisioner, TELUS Transformation Office & Author (via skype)
- Edmund Salt, President, Whitehots Inc.
- Carol Shepstone, University Librarian, Mount Royal University & incoming Chief Librarian, Ryerson University (Effective September 11, 2017)
- Mike Ridley, Former CIO & Chief Librarian, University of Guelph
- Gordon Vala-Webb, Author, Building Smarter Organizations
- (We continue to add speakers, so please check back for updates to the schedule.)
Comments From Previous Attendees:
- “This symposium had some of the best overall content of any conference I’ve attended, including big ones like OLA, PLA, ALA, etc.”
- “Enjoyed the mix of in person, multimedia, Skype.” “Great mix.” “The variety added to the ability to maintain attention – you got it right.”
- “Choice of speakers was outstanding.” “They all excelled.”
- “All the speakers were inspiring and informative.
- “Good mix of theory & practice, concepts & examples & time to discuss & ask questions; variety was great; good pace.”
- “Do it again!”
- “It was great! Learned a lot & got some ideas for my library.”
- “ Loved the venue; Excellent!”
Emerald Sponsor

The future of public libraries in Canada is an exciting universe where traditional books and innovative digital media meet. Whitehots is an enthusiastic partner for libraries and publishers alike, and we’re dedicated to exploring and advancing these new frontiers to help Canadian libraries realize new heights of success.