2025 Dalhousie-Horrocks National Leadership Lecture
Date
February 3, 2025 17:00 - 18:30
Location
Halifax / Online
Details
Drag Story Time: Leading library values
Lecture Details
Monday, February 3, 2025
5:00 pm (Atlantic) | 4:00 pm (Eastern) | 1:00 pm (Pacific)
Abstract
In recent years, Drag Story Times have become one of the most controversial children’s programming offerings in the public library world, striking electric chords with both the political left and right. The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) has twice found itself at the centre of such controversy. In 2019, Ashley Machum (Head of Youth Services) organized the ORL’s first Drag Story Time, with no idea of the firestorm the program would incur. The ORL’s administration at the time opposed the program, on moral and religious grounds, placing Ashley and her colleagues at the centre of both an internal and an external conflict over intellectual freedom and inclusivity. In 2023, with Danielle Hubbard as the new CEO, the ORL offered another Drag Story Time. Due to the heightened political climate, the event was met with threats, protests, and national media coverage. This time, however, the ORL was unified in its support of the program, and its communication strategy. In this presentation, Ashley and Danielle each provide first-hand accounts of their experiences leading the ORL through these tumultuous events and discuss the core library values that guided their decisions.
Speaker Bios
Danielle Hubbard has served as the CEO of the Okanagan Regional Library for the past two years where her personal and professional philosophy is “get things done and be as nice about it as possible.” Her background is in programming and outreach. She has worked at the Greater Victoria Public Library, Salt Spring Island Public Library, Port Moody Public Library, and Western Manitoba Regional Library, where she was the Director/CEO. She holds an MLIS from Dalhousie University, and spends as much time as possible hiking and writing poetry.
Ashley Machum is the Head of Youth Services for the Okanagan Regional Library. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a Master of Library and Information Studies in 2009. Originally from Ontario, Ashley settled in Kelowna, BC in 2010 and started working with ORL as a Youth Services Librarian. When Ashley isn’t talking about books for kids, she’s cheering on her family at sporting events or sharing good food and wine with friends!
Following the lecture, the Dalhousie-Horrocks National Leadership Fund will be presented to MI student, Carolyn Smith. This Fund was established in 2007 to honour Dr. Norman Horrocks, OC, PhD, FCLIP (1927-2010) for his outstanding leadership in the field of librarianship in North America, Australia, and Europe. Over several decades Dr. Horrocks, former Director of the School of Information Management and Dean of the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University, pursued a distinguished career of very active involvement in professional associations in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, the United States, and Canada. His many contributions, for which he received local, national and international recognition, have advanced the field and the careers of countless individuals. The fund supports a scholarship and an associated lecture series through an endowment donated by the many former students, colleagues, friends and admirers of Norman Horrocks.
Please contact kim.humes@dal.ca with questions regarding this event.
