About the Team
Hello! We're pleased to meet you.
Halifax Public Libraries' 2SLGBTQIA+ Team is a diverse group of folks who regularly gather virtually (and sometimes in-person when we can all make it to the same place!) to work on Library initiatives, as well as support one another and our community. The working group is open to all staff members who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or as an ally.
We work to develop programs; generate blogs, reading lists, and other content (which you can discover on our 2SLGBTQIA+ Portal Page!); build community partnerships; connect and collaborate with 2SLGBTQIA+ authors, leaders, and artists; and discuss and advocate on issues of importance to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We also work to reach out internally to 2SLGBTQIA+ staff to foster social connections and promote professional development; and support training initiatives across the whole organization.
The team formally came together in 2021, with a commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ representation, building on the amazing work of previous Halifax Public Libraries staff and initiatives through the years. Their leadership drew together a robust, creative team. The Team is now headed by Zso, a Branch Services Lead at Halifax Central Library. Furthermore, in 2022, the Team won the Halifax Public Libraries' Miss Amyoony Award of Staff Innovation & Impact. We take great Pride in our work and it shows!
We thought we would introduce ourselves, and tell you a little bit more about (some of) the folks who are working as part of this bright and wonderful rainbow! We will aim to keep this post updated as members join us and wish to be featured.
Meet the Team
Zso
(they/them)
Branch Services Lead, Halifax Central Library
About Me
Over the last 17 years, I have held more than a few positions with Halifax Public Libraries. Currently, I work as a Branch Services Lead at Halifax Central Library. I am also Lead of our outstanding 2SLGBTQIA+ Team. I joined the Team because serving this community is an important part of the work we do at the Library.
In my youth, I was heavily involved with Prairie-based queer activism and non-profit community organizations. I first came out more than thirty years ago. I identify as queer and transitioned as nonbinary (agender) about ten years ago. My favourite thing about the Library is our role in safeguarding important public rights and freedoms, like the right to gather as a community, equality rights, and intellectual freedom.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendation:
Sarah
(she/they)
Service Advisor, Alderney Gate Public Library
About Me
My name is Sarah (she/they). I started working at the Library in 2022 and currently work as a service advisor at Alderney Gate Public Library. I love that the Library is a public space where community members can spend time, access resources, and participate in programming without having to pay for anything.
My favourite memories at the library so far have been connecting with community members and being part of pride events at the Dartmouth North Library. I wanted to become part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Team so I could collaborate and create with other queer folks working with the Library. My hope for the 2SLQBTQIA+ Team is that we're able to bring a more intersectional and analytical perspective to Library programs, services, and systems.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendation:
Ky
(he/him)
Service Advisor, Halifax Central Library
About Me
My name is Ky and I've worked for the Library for one year. I have been out and proud as a member of the queer community for a decade now! One thing I wish more people knew about the Library is that we offer support to the trans community through 2 Spirit and Trans ID clinics. Folks can pick up the necessary forms, ask questions, and have these documents notarized (at no cost!) to begin the process of changing one's name and/or gender marker on government ID.
I knew I wanted to be part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Team because there were already so many lovely people that were a part of it. The Team is incredibly welcoming and driven—and those are two qualities I admire and aim to bring into my work. I hope this committee can pioneer hosting many events for our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, both with our staff and with the public. As well, we advise Library staff on how best to accommodate and welcome our queer and/or trans employees and community members.
2SLGBTQIA+ Recommendation:
If you're a fan of Heartstopper, or simply want a light-hearted (queer) romantic comedy, these manga volumes are quick to get through to sweeten your day.
Elliott
(she/her)
Adult Specialist, Halifax Central Library
About Me
I am a writer and librarian working out of Halifax Central Library. I am an Adult Specialist and plan programs and events for adults in downtown Halifax. I have worked for Halifax Public Libraries since 2015 in various positions, starting as a C@P Intern and working my way up (and around) to my current Specialist gig. I am a lesbian and my pronouns are she/her.
My favourite thing about the Library is that we offer so many important services to the public: we are community centres, meeting places, classrooms, shelters, studios, a home away from home. Most importantly, we are one of the few places where people can stay all day without spending money! My favourite library memory is the day that I discovered a bunny in the third floor Central washroom.
I wanted to be part of this Team to help make positive change in the Library. I have always wished that the Library offered more services and resources for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community outside of Pride. Many of our customers are part of the community, and it is important to remember they exist year round! I hope that we will continue to make our collections, programs, and spaces more inclusive for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people. I would love to see more programs aimed at 2SLGBTQIA+ elders, as well as programs specifically for trans youth.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendation:
An experimental memoir about love, abuse, and trauma. Definitely not a light read, but powerful, important, and beautifully written.
Heidi
(she/her)
Service Advisor, Dartmouth North Public Library
About Me
I'm Heidi! My pronouns are she/her and I identify as a queer person. I've been working at the Dartmouth North Public Library as a Service Advisor for a little over a year now. My favourite part of my job is being able to do programming with youth and getting to know all of the incredible patrons that we get to serve. I wanted to become involved in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Team because I want to foster inclusivity and engage in conversations that can help enhance the Library experience for everyone! I hope that through the 2SLGBTQIA+ Team we are able to contribute to making 2SLGBTQIA+ people feel safe, represented, and valued in our Libraries and beyond.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendations:
Samantha
(she/her)
MLIS Co-op Student, Captain William Spry Public Library
About Me
I'm Samantha! I’m an MLIS Co-op student with the Library. I started in the spring at Captain William Spry Public Library and [was] here for Summer 2023, working on programming and as a service advisor. I love working in the Library. It's a place where any member of the community can come and access our many services. At the Library, diversity is welcomed and championed!
I love being part of a working group that is dedicated to raising awareness and progressing the interests of the LGBT community, on both the employee and community member sides. I hope our committee will continue to make the Library an amazing place for all of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community!
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendation:
Naomi
(she/her)
Teen Specialist, Halifax Central Library
About Me
I'm Naomi (she/her) and I'm the teen specialist at Central Library! I've been working at the Library for just over a year after graduating from Western University with a Masters of Library and Information Science. I love the ways that libraries connect us to our communities and give us opportunities to learn and thrive. I'm looking forward to using my knowledge as a teen specialist to expand our Team's impact on youth across the region. I identify as bisexual and am so happy to be a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Team as we do amazing work to create spaces in HRM that are safe, welcoming, and so much fun.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendations:
Kassondra
(she/her)
Regional Programming Lead
About Me
I'm Kassondra and I'm the Regional Programming Lead based at Halifax Central Library. I've been at Central for two years, but I've worked at one Library branch or another since 2016. My favorite part of my job is working with our amazing community and our Team to bring you exciting new programs and events to our Libraries and beyond. I joined the Team because I wanted to build a stronger network of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks between branches, and I hope we get to continue hosting and meeting folks at whatever Library they call home.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendation:
For all those sci-fi sapphics out there!
Beth
(she/her)
Service Advisor, Captain William Spry Public Library
About Me
I’m Beth! I'm a bisexual book nerd and I’ve been working at the Captain William Spry Public Library since 2014. I’m a service advisor and my favourite part of the job is making displays—I love being able to bring art into my Library work! Another part of working at the Library I love is writing blog posts. Writing 2SLGBTQIA+ content for the Library blog is how I got involved with the Team! I hope that through the Library’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Team we’re able to increase representation, visibility, and access for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our Libraries and communities.
2SLGBTQIA+ recommendations:
Check out the Riot Grrrl band Sleater-Kinney, plus band member Carrie Brownstein's memoir!
What do you want to see from the Library's 2SLGBTQIA+ Team? What are your favourite 2SLGBTQIA+ book, movie, or music recommendations? Let us know in the comments!
Looking for more? Check out our Pride Portal for more 2SLGBTQIA+ content, events, and more!
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