Stuart McLean is a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and humourist, and host of CBC Radio program THE VINYL CAFÉ. He began his broadcasting career making radio documentaries for CBC Radio’s Sunday Morning. In 1979 he won an ACTRA award for Best Radio Documentary for his contribution to the program’s coverage of the Jonestown massacre. Following Sunday Morning, Stuart spent seven years as a regular columnist and guest host on CBC’s Morningside. His book, The Morningside World of Stuart McLean, was a Canadian bestseller and a finalist in the 1990 City of Toronto Book Awards. Stuart has also written Welcome Home: Travels in Small Town Canada, and edited the collection When We Were Young. Welcome Home was chosen by the Canadian Authors’ Association as the best non-fiction book of 1993. Stuart’s books Stories from the Vinyl Café, Home from the Vinyl Café and Vinyl Café Unplugged have all been Canadian bestsellers. Both Home from the Vinyl Café and Vinyl Café Unplugged received the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. Stuart is a tenured professor at Ryerson University in Toronto and former director of the broadcast division of the School of Journalism. In 1993 Trent University named him the first Rooke Fellow for Teaching, Writing and Research. Since 1998 Stuart has taken THE VINYL CAFÉ on the road, performing in large and small towns from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Whitehorse in the Yukon. More than 700,000 people listen to THE VINYL CAFÉ every weekend. The popular Vinyl Café books and CDs are available at book and record stores across Canada.

Dennis Hamel is a specialist in developing identities for non-profit associations and societies. He’s designed unique brands for societies supporting motorcyclists, occupational therapists, information processing professionals, and others. His branding skills and insight are sought after by many non-profit groups that seek to raise their profiles with the public. It was his work with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and TVOntario that propelled him to develop a successful full-service communications agency for this sector. As Assistant Director of Communications for the corporation’s English TV and radio networks, he established the in-house media placement agency and introduced innovative media planning, buying and execution techniques. At TVOntario he shepherded the organization through a change of its English and French on-air and corporate images. Denis is a frequent conference speaker and presenter on communication subjects such as Effective Membership Communication, Communication Audits, How to Deal with Media, and What Works in Branding for Non-Profit Organizations. He delivers presentations in either English or French. Currently, Denis is the Chairman and CEO of Indispensible Communication Inc., and President of its subsidiary companies such as AssociationsOnly.net and SuperiorFrench.com.

Anna Altmann is Acting Director at the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta. (Session H6)

Marg Anderson has been an Instructor in the Library and Information Technology Program at SAIT for 23 years including two years on leave to return to working in "real libraries". Her major teaching areas include online searching, marketing and library services for young people. Marg also serves as the Field Work Coordinator for the program. (Session G8)

Karen Arnold has worked with Canada Post for nine years and has experience in all sections and shifts. She has been a Revenue Protection Officer for the past three years and loves it. Karen has been dealing with library mail for two years and trains postmasters in the prairie region on this topic. (Session H1)

Judy Atkinson is President and Founder of Circles of Rhythm, an experiential learning company based in Calgary. She has trained with master drummers and community builders in Pittsburgh, Hawaii and Mexico and brings 20 years experience as an adult educator. A spirited facilitator, she believes drumming heals the body, soothes tension and creates community. (Sessions B4 and C4)

Daniel Boivin is Director of OCLC Canada. In his present role, he oversees the management of OCLC Canada as well as sales and marketing of all OCLC products and services in Canada. He has over 17 years experience with automation and electronic services since first getting his M.L.I.S. (Session F9)

Christine Bourchier is a student at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta (2005 Graduate) and has attended a variety of library and information studies conferences. (Session B8)

Anwen Boyd is a student at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta (2004 Graduate) and has attended a variety of library and information studies conferences. (Session B8)

Trudy Boyle and Gottfried Mitteregger have provided Constructive Living workshops and training opportunities to individuals and organizations, both public and private for over nine years. They offer workplace training and coaching, write articles on these subjects, and are popular presenters at universities, colleges, and conferences. (Session B10, C9)

Shawna Cass has provided strategic communications advice to government, private and not-for-profit companies. She has uncovered promotional techniques that have proven that the key to a successful pitch has nothing to do with your budget and everything to do with the story you tell. (Session F6, H3)

Donna Campbell is an international management consultant specializing in strategic planning, continuous improvement and program evaluation. She received her library degree from the University of Alberta and is currently a trustee with Calgary Public Library and Vice President of ALTA. (Session F4)

Pat Cavill is Past President of LAA and has more than 30 years experience as a public library consultant and senior manager in both urban and rural Saskatchewan and Alberta. (Session C8, G10, H8)

Kelley Charlebois joined Premier Klein's office in early 1993 and Minister Mar in the spring of 1993. He has worked with Minister Mar in four portfolios: Community Development, Education, Environment, and Health and Wellness. Kelley began consulting in 2001 and is now based in Calgary. (Session G9, H7)

Ann Curry is associate professor at the the School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia and teaches in collection management, research methods, and intellectual freedom. She was a public and special librarian in Alberta from 1972 to 1989. (Session F10, H6)

Kirby Dublanko is a teacher at Leduc Jr. Sr. High School and is an active member of the Thorsby Municipal Library, currently as Secretary. (Session C3)

Melodie Esau has been the manager of Christian Publications, a bookstore committed to helping people grow through life-impacting resources, for five years. Melodie cares about the needs of librarians and presents a librarian's seminar of her own twice a year. Reading is both her pastime and her passion. (Session H9)

Kim Frail is a Public Services Librarian at the Bibliothèque Saint-Jean, University of Alberta Libraries. She began working on the La Survivance digitization project in the summer of 2001 as part of the University of Alberta Libraries Academic Internship Program. Prior to her current appointment, she worked as a Digital Librarian at Alberta Learning, Learning Technologies Branch. (Session F9)

Liz Forseth is Training and Development Librarian at Yellowhead Regional Library. Previously she worked in special libraries with the City of Edmonton Community Services Department and Enbridge Pipelines. (Session B5)

Lisa Given is an Assistant Professor and Web Manager at the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta. She teaches a graduate-level course in web design, advises on numerous web usability projects, and manages websites for the Canadian Association for Information Science and the University's Women's Association. (Session B2)

Geoffrey Harder is Public Services Librarian (Biological Sciences and Computing Science) at Cameron Library and manager of the University of Alberta Libraries' Knowledge Common. He uses weblogging for many projects, and has written and presented on his experiences. Geoff is contributing a chapter library-related blogging book due out in late 2004. (Session F8)

Sharon Hawrelak is Communications Director at The Alberta Library. She has over thirty years experience in political campaigns, public relations and government. She has been recognized with numerous awards for change advocacy. (Session C1)

Ken Haycock is a lead trainer for the BC Library Trustees' Association and the Ontario Library Boards Association. A former school board chair and municipal councillor, Dr. Haycock is senior partner with Ken Haycock & Associates Inc. which specializes in executive searches and helping libraries build capacity for leadership, advocacy and collaboration. (Sessions B7, C6, F5)

Joy Huebert is the Director of the Trail and District Public Library. She has been a library manager for over ten years, as well as a consultant and children's librarian. She is also an Advanced Toastmaster and has led many seminars and workshops. (Session B1)

Ernie Ingles is currently Associate Vice-President (Learning Systems) and Chief Librarian at the University of Alberta. He was the founding Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions, and has held library positions at many Canadian academic institutions. He is also an active player within the Canadian library community and has held numerous executive positions on public and private sector Boards. He is currently the Chair of the Steering Committee for the 8Rs Canadian Library Human Resource Study. (Session F7)

Punch Jackson is the Director of Strategic Information and Libraries for Alberta Community Development. (Session B6)

Heidi Julien is an Assistant Professor of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. She has held academic positions at Dalhousie and at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She has taught courses in Management and Marketing and is an active conference presenter. She was also President of the Canadian Association for Information Science in 2001-2002. (Session C7)

Elaine Keller has been on Westlock Municipal Library Board for four years and is currently Vice Chairperson and head of the Advocacy Committee. As a former elementary classroom and special needs teacher, she is well aware of the importance of libraries. (Session F1)

Judy Kidd is a genealogist with a background in education and community involvement and last year's Trustee of the Year. (Session C2)

Mijin Kim is the Coordinator of the new Multicultural Resources and Services Program at Library and Archives Canada. A professional librarian, she has worked in public, academic and health libraries and was most recently Manager of Member Services for CLA. (Session G7)

Clive Maishment is currently Director of Yellowhead Regional Library. He has served on the APLEN Steering Committee since 2000 and was recently elected Chair of the Committee. He has served on the TAL Executive since 2001. (Session F2)

Leighton McCarthy is an architectural technologist who has worked exclusively with libraries since 1977. His unique combination of construction knowledge and an understanding of library needs has allowed him to help libraries establish attractive and workable buildings. (Session G5, H5)

Doug McDermid is a graduate in Hospital Administration from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked in that field for 25 years. Also an Alberta licensed Funeral Director, Doug was involved in starting Hospice Programs in Health Care. Currently Deputy Mayor in the Town of Mayerthorpe, he sits on numerous boards, including YRL. (Session C5)

Gerry Meek is the Director of the Calgary Public Library. (Session B6)

Vic Mensch is currently the chair of Coaldale Public Library and has been involved with Chinook Arch Library System since before its inception as well as serving as a director and president of ALTA. Being on Coaldale Town Council has brought Vic a valuable perspective about the political aspects of library funding. (Session G1)

Eleanor Mitchell is a librarian at the Mayerthorpe Public Library with a background in education and community involvement. (Session C2)

Wendy Newman has enjoyed a distinguished career in library service, public policy advocacy, and professional leadership. A member of the National Broadband Task Force and the Blue Ribbon Panel on Smart Communities, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Media Awareness Network. (Session C8, G10, H8)

Louise Normandeau considers herself fortunate to work in two libraries: Thorsby Municipal Library and Thorsby Jr. Sr. High School. Due to her success with grant writing, Louise has been given full responsibility for applying for grants. (Session C3)

Tami Oliphant works for Learning Services at the University of Alberta as the Communications and Planning Coordinator. (Session F3)

Kimberley Onclin is Program Manager at the Centre for Family Literacy and has worked in the literacy field for 12 years. (Session B3)

Mike Opdebeck read a notice at the Devon Town Office asking for board trustees in 1997. Because he was soon retiring, he applied. Although he had belonged to various libraries, being on the Board for the past six years "has opened my eyes". (Session F1)

Karla Palichuk joined The Alberta Library in 2000 as the Technology Implementation Coordinator for the APLEN, where she worked with the public library community to coordinate and deliver ongoing training to public library staff. In October 2003 Karla became the APLEN Program Manager. (Session F2)

Jeff Panka is the manager of Cooperative Reference Services in OCLC's New Product area. He has worked in a variety of development, training, and management positions on OCLC Services like SiteSearch and WebExpress. Jeff also worked for four years at a ready reference service. (Session G6)

Natalie Pavlis is a 2003 graduate from the School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies at University of British Columbia. She is now a librarian at Lethbridge Public Library. (Session F10)

Patricia Pitsel is a psychologist, educator, HR professional, and one-time school librarian - rural Saskatchewan, circa 1965. Voted "Outstanding Instructor" by graduating students in the Faculty of Continuing Education, University of Calgary, Pat has been known to keep people awake for several minutes at a time! (Session G2, H2)

Randy Reichardt is Public Services Librarian (Engineering) at the Science and Technology Library, University of Alberta. With Geoff Harder, he maintains a blog called the SciTech Library Question, which features postings of interest to librarians working in the scitech field. (Session F8)

Fern Russell is the Digital Initiatives Coordinator at the University of Alberta Libraries. In this position she provides coordination and contributes to the development of Peel’s Prairie Provinces, an online bibliography and corresponding full-text searchable content currently being built at the University of Alberta. (Session F9)

Toni Samek is Associate Professor in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. Toni actively teaches and publishes in the area of intellectual freedom. She has served as Convener of the CLA Advisory Committee on Intellectual Freedom and as Chair of LAA's Intellectual Freedom Committee. (Session C10)

Maureen Sanders is Executive Director of the Centre for Family Literacy, the first organization of its kind in Canada. She has worked in the literacy field for 14 years. (Session B3)

Alvin Schrader, professor and former director of the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta, is currently researching the naming and renaming of our field. (Session B9)

Allison Sivak is a public services librarian participating in the Academic Library Internship program at the University of Alberta Library, specializing in data librarianship. She is a research associate involved with the 8R Canadian Library Human Resources Study. (Session F7)

Marianne Sorenson has written reports on libraries and labour market related topics. She was the principal researcher for three survey projects carried out on behalf of the Edmonton Public Library system designed to examine public usage and evaluations of the system. She is the primary researcher and Project Manager of the 8R Canadian Library Human Resources Study. (Session F7)

Joanie Stephen is a certified facilitator in leadership and temperamental style training. Her background includes over fifteen years as an educator, sales manager, and corporate trainer. She helps people enrich their leadership strategy with temperamental styles. (Session G3, H4)

Alice Swabey is currently a librarian in Red Deer College's new Library Information Common. She was also director of Sylvan Lake Municipal Library for eight years. While she was there, Alice was involved in establishing a Friends of the Library group, and helped to put the fun into fundraising. Many meetings, volunteers and raffle tickets later, she is still involved with this group. (Session G1)

Cynthia Tillapaugh was born in Saskatchewan and moved to Fox Creek in 1974 where she has served on the Fox Creek Municipal Library Board for more than 10 years. (Session F1)

Monique Treiber has served on the Bassano Memorial Library board since 1998, first as town council representative, then as a board member and most recently, as chairperson. She works part-time as a lab/x-ray technician, is married and is the mother of three young boys. (Session F1)

Joan Urschel is Coordinator of Public Relations in Programming at Strathcona County Library and has been staff liaison to the Friends of the Library since 1995. They have had many successful grant applications and worked together on many unique fundraising projects. (Session G1)

Rita Vine has taught thousands of people to be better online searchers. She is one of North America's best-known consultants and educators in Web searching. She is also a founding partner of Workingfaster.com, helping professionals access information that matters. (Pre-conference)

Heather Zomar is the Director of Risk Management for the City of Edmonton. She serves on the Board of the Northern Alberta Risk and Insurance Management Society and is a member of the National Education Committee of RIMS Canada. Heather is a Fellow of the Global Risk Management Institute and has been managing public risks for more than ten years. (Session G4)