On Stage at the IdeaHUB

Don’t forget to check out the IdeaHUB on Thursday

10:00 am – 10:25 am

What’s new at IEEE?

Brian Ryckman, IEEE Client Services Manager, IEEE Xplore Digital Library

It has been a truly dynamic and productive year for IEEE in 2025! We are excited to share some of the significant advancements and new resources introduced over the past twelve months.

Throughout the year, we have expanded our offerings considerably. This includes the introduction of new eBook collections, providing deeper access to cutting-edge research and foundational knowledge. We have also launched new content collections, featuring valuable tutorials and short courses designed to enhance practical skills and theoretical understanding.

10:30 am – 11:25 am

CANSCAIP Authors

The Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) invites you to join them for a lively session as some of today’s best children’s authors talk up their brand new creations.

  • Hosted by: Karen Krossing
  • Laura Alary, The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
  • Lana Button, Time to Leave Laverne, Owlkids Books
  • Julien Chung, Chicka Chicka Peep Peep, Simon & Schuster
  • Caroline Fernandez, Asha and Baz Meet Mary Anning, Common Deer Press
  • Joyce Grant, Burst Your Bubble! Outsmart the Algorithms and See What You’re Missing, Owlkids Books
  • Jennifer Harris, The Witching Hour, Tundra Books
  • Karen Krossing, One Cosmic Rock: The Story of the Asteroid That Changed Our World, Owlkids Books & My Street Remembers, Groundwood Books
  • Catherine Little, Jane and the Blue Willow Princess, Plumleaf Press
  • Regan W. H. Macaulay, Peter Little Wing and the Bay of Islands, Pandamonium Publishing
  • Elizabeth MacLeod, Meet Frederick Banting, Scholastic Canada
  • Maria Marianayagam, Wait ‘Til You’re Older, Sourcebooks/eXplore (Raincoast)
  • Patricia McCowan, I’m Here, Red Deer Press / Sutherland
  • Heather O’Connor, Across the Ice: How We Saved the Ojibwe Horse, Candlewick Press
  • Monique Polak, Just A Minute: Why Humans Tell Time, Orca Book Publishers & Christmas Weekend, Linda Leith Press
  • Jeff Szpirglas, Ink of Nightmares, Orca Book Publishers
  • Wanda Taylor, The Sky’s the Limit, Nimbus Publishing
  • Kari-Lynn Winters, Our Game: 5 Hockey Stories, Scholastic
  • Anita Yasuda, Bollywood Beat!, Kids Can Press

11:30 am – 11:55 am

Best Practices on Data Governance and Compliance for Libraries

Victor Yosowich, Microsoft Practice Lead, Sentia

In today’s digital era, libraries are more than repositories of books – they are data-rich environments managing sensitive patron information, digital archives, and analytics-driven services. This session explores essential best practices for implementing robust data governance and compliance frameworks tailored for libraries.

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Establish clear roles and accountability for data stewardship
  • Align governance policies with legal requirements such as GDPR and local privacy laws
  • Implement practical measures like data classification, encryption, and access controls
  • Foster a culture of transparency and trust while mitigating risks of breaches and regulatory penalties
  • Ensure you’re well-positioned from a compliance and governance perspective to reap the benefits of AI

By the end of this session, participants will gain actionable strategies to ensure data integrity, security, and compliance – empowering libraries to serve their communities responsibly in a data-driven world.

12:00 pm – 12:25 pm

Learning Japanese Canadian history. Why now?

Jeff Chiba Stearns, Author/Educator, Japanese Canadian Legacies Society

Acclaimed author, illustrator and educator Jeff Chiba Stearns presents ideas brought forward in his children’s book On Being Yukiko, which shines a light on the history of Japanese Canadians. Framed by an introductory performance by Toronto taiko master Kiyoshi Nagata, this session also introduces public education opportunities through a new website, JapaneseCanadianHistory.com. In the 1940s, 22,000 Japanese Canadians living on British Columbia’s west coast were uprooted, interned, permanently dispossessed, and displaced from their homes. Communities had formed since the late 1800s with over 70 percent of persons born in Canada. How does this history find relevance in today’s town square? Supporting this presentation is Susanne Tabata, CEO of Japanese Canadian Legacies.

12:30 pm – 12:55 pm

Innovating for the Future: Oxford University Press’s Newest Digital Products and Initiatives

David Hayden, Regional Sales Manager, Oxford University Press

Join us to learn more about Oxford University Press’s newest digital products and developments for academic institutions. Discover new interdisciplinary modules for Oxford Intersections and Oxford Bibliographies, explore our recent open access initiatives, and learn about advancements in AI tools on our digital platforms. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of how these innovations can enhance your library’s collection and services, support academic research, and foster a more connected and informed community. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the evolving landscapes of scholarly communications and digital information.

1:00 pm – 1:25 pm

Hands on Exotics Animal Show

Karina Fensterer, General Manager, Hands on Exotics

Educational Animal Presentation

1:30 pm – 1:55 pm

unlearn. Poster Packs: Turning Your Walls into Conversations That Matter

Abhi Ahluwalia, Founder & CEO, unlearn.

Libraries have always been more than places to find information — they are spaces where ideas are questioned, perspectives expand, and communities come together. In this session, unlearn. will introduce its Poster Packs: thoughtfully designed visual resources that spark critical thinking, dialogue, and reflection around equity, identity, human rights, and belonging.

Designed for libraries, classrooms, schools and organizations, unlearn Poster Packs use powerful imagery and minimal text to invite curiosity rather than deliver answers. These posters encourage students and patrons of all ages to pause, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations — whether independently, in small groups, or as part of a guided program.

This session will:

  • Showcase unlearn Poster Packs and the thinking behind their design
  • Demonstrate how librarians can use posters as conversation starters, not decorations
  • Share practical examples of how Poster Packs support inquiry-based learning, student voice, and inclusive library programming
  • Highlight ways educators can use these visuals to support curriculum connections, book displays, community events, and difficult but necessary conversations

Attendees will leave with concrete ideas for how to transform library spaces and schools into living learning environments — where curiosity is encouraged, diverse perspectives are centered, and everyone feels they belong.

Join us to find out why unlearn. was recognized by the Ontario Principals’ Council for their outstanding contribution to education.

2:00 pm – 2:25 pm

The Use of AI in Research Integrity and Publication Ethics – MDPI

Ryan Siu, Institutional Partnerships Manager, MDPI

The rapid rise of generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges for scholarly publishing. As a leading open access publisher, MDPI is at the forefront of addressing these issues, ensuring that research integrity remains central to scholarly publishing. This session will explore how MDPI is responding to AI: implementing safeguards to prevent misuse, detecting and discouraging unethical practices, and leveraging AI responsibly to strengthen integrity checks and peer review.