THE 2025 DALHOUSIE HORROCKS NATIONAL LEADERSHIP LECTURE
SPEAKERS:
Danielle Hubbard (MLIS'13), she/her
Chief Executive Officer of the Okanagan Regional Library
Ashley Machum (MLIS'09), she/her
Head of Youth Services of the Okanagan Regional Library
TITLE: Drag Story Time: Leading library values
EVENT DETAILS:
Join us either IN PERSON or ONLINE
Monday, February 3, 2025
5:00 - 6:30 p.m. AT - Lecture (Suite 3089 or Online)
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. AT - Reception (Suite 3087 - In person only)
IN PERSON LOCATION:
Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building
Suite 3089 - 6100 University Ave, Halifax, NS
ONLINE LINKS:
LINK to be sent closer to the event date
ORGANIZED BY: Dalhousie University, Master of Information (MI) Program
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!
Please contact kim.humes@dal.ca with questions regarding this event.
If you wish, please donate to the Horrocks Scholarship.
Learn more about the Dalhousie Horrocks National Leadership Fund.
