Get to know the people at CILS
Learn a little about the people working behind the scenes at CILS. You may be surprised what you learn
Laura: Library Technician
Laura attended Capilano College and SFU in the early 2000's, where she majored in Geography and minored in English. After she received her BA in 2005, she went on to Langara College, where she graduated the Library and Information Technology program in 2007. She has since worked in both public and academic libraries, and finds herself at home in either. She has been at CILS since November of 2008.
A self-proclaimed geek, Laura loves working with computers, and she delights in finding new and innovative ways to help people get what they need. Her main interests include writing (fiction), reading (science fiction, fantasy, and almost anything else), comics (primarily webcomics), and spending time with her cats (2) and her husband (1). She also enjoys (copious) use of parentheses, unnecessarily long sentences, and writing about herself in the third person.
Dan: Library Technician
I have recently joined CILS (in November 2010) as a library assistant. I’m originally from Eastern Ontario and moved to Vancouver in the fall of 2009. I have a Library Technician diploma from Algonquin College in Ottawa and I am also currently working part-time on an undergraduate degree in History at Simon Fraser University. My particular passion is the social history of the former Ottoman, Russian, and Austro-Hungarians empires, particularly in Southeastern Europe where they interacted, as well as the histories of decolonized and post-communist countries.
I also love languages and the origins of words, and hope to one day learn a fourth or fifth language. I am also an avid cyclist and enjoy trying the many different kinds of food available in Vancouver that are hard to find back in Ontario.
I worked for several years as a circulation assistant in the Ottawa Public Library, and I take particular pride in trying my best to serve members of the public with particular needs.
Ryan: Librarian (Ryan is currently on secondment with the Langara Library)
I’ve spent most of my life as a student and have graduate degrees from U.Vic and UBC. After graduating but before coming to CILS in February 2008, I worked as a reference librarian in a public library, a children’s librarian and as a cataloguer. These days I’m responsible for working with CILS clients to ensure that they receive the information they need in the format they need. Additionally, with my colleague Stephen, I oversee alternate format production, undertake special projects and research, and advocate for accessibility. When not at CILS, I enjoy various sports, fishing, reading and lego with my son.
Ryan is a recipient of the BCLA ALPS Award for Outstanding Service.
Shuyan: Library Technician
1998 was a year that brought big changes in my life--I moved to Canada from China. Because of this I switched my university teaching position at a Chinese University for a student aide position working with CILS. Though the changes were dramatic, I’ve never felt regretful, especially about working for CILS. Currently I’m a library technician and have been working with CILS for more than a decade. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide service to students with special needs and to help them get through their post-secondary education. I have Masters in Linguistics and Education as well as Library Technician Diploma. I like reading, listening to music and writing poems in Chinese.
Stephen: Librarian
Stephen will be on leave from July 2013 to August 2014.
I have been with CILS since 2004. Previous to CILS I worked at the University of British Columbia as a systems administrator full time while also completing my Masters of Library Science and Masters of Archival Studies. I also have an undergraduate degree in Russian Language and Literature and a diploma in Network Administration. With my colleague Tara, I oversee alternate format production, undertake special projects and research, and advocate for accessibility. However, I especially enjoy looking for ways to improve our service while accommodating the changes in technology that seem to take place on a daily basis. When not at CILS, I enjoy various activities which mainly involve channelling the energy of 2 young children.
Stephen is a recipient of the BCLA ALPS Award for Outstanding Service.
Tara: Librarian
With my colleague Stephen, I oversee alternate format production, advocate for accessibility and work to improve our service. Before starting at CILS in July 2012 I worked in a variety of library systems related positions at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, National Library of New Zealand, BC Libraries Cooperative, and the Great Northern Way Campus.
I was born in Vancouver but grew up in Prince George. I have a BA from from UNBC in International Studies and Women’s Studies. I graduated with an MLIS from UBC in 2007. I’m passionate about libraries, access to information, open source software and Fluevog shoes. Outside of work I like biking, swimming, yoga and tap dancing.
Vanessa: Library Technician
Vanessa started her academic career at Langara in the mid-1990’s and finished her Library Technician Diploma in 1999. Since then she has worked in special, school, corporate and academic libraries, coming full-circle to work at CILS in 2006.
Always seeking another challenge, Vanessa went back to school and graduated in 2012 with an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from UBC. In the fulfillment of the degree she took courses in art history, women’s studies, political science, philosophy, English and history. Some of the many things Vanessa is passionate about are food, cooking, art & design, social justice issues, working to improve community, keeping fit, travelling the world and enjoying the company of friends and family.
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