Alison Nussbaumer

12 Pages·2016·0.22 MB·English

Alison Nussbaumer
34 Edgewood Blvd, Lethbridge, AB T1K 6G7
Cell: 403-393-1740 Hm: 403-394-2679 email: [email protected]

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Master of Arts (Leadership), Royal Roads University, 2008
Thesis: The changing role of reference librarians at the University of Victoria’s McPherson Library, March 2008

Master of Library Science, University of Alberta, 1987
Award: Baker & Taylor (Technical Services)

Bachelor of Arts, University of Alberta, 1982

OTHER EDUCATION

Student in Doctor of Education Administration program (Higher Education Leadership), University of
Calgary, 2011-14; completed all course work; withdrew from program.

Association of College and Research Libraries: Leadership for Senior Academic Library Administrators,
August 2003, Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
9 day course on leadership for senior academic librarians; intensely used the case study method to examine
leadership, policy and decision making at senior levels in the academy; developed strategies to improve our
leadership abilities.

Senior University Administrative Course, May 2002, Banff, Alberta
8 day course for senior university administrators, topics included: financial issues; human rights and
administrative issues; organizational culture; values and ethics; and risk/human resource management.

Library Management Skills Institute, I, The Manager, 2000, Las Vegas, Association of Research Libraries
3 day course focused on the manager’s role providing leadership within a complex and changing organization
including development of: facilitative leadership, problem solving, coaching and influencing skills

Library Management Skills Institute, II, The Organization, 2000, Saskatoon, Association of Research
Libraries
3 day course focused on developing a learning organization, creating vision, identifying organizational values,
developing group and team communication skills

Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute, 1996, Emerald Lake, British Columbia
Selected from Canadian national competition; week-long institute dealing with: leadership, advocacy, mentoring,
and building/managing strategic relationships.

Business Management Certificate, (with Distinction), University of Alberta, 1995
Program of eight full semester courses including: Introduction to administrative practices and
decision-making; Marketing; Managerial economics; Financial accounting; Managerial accounting;
Computer literacy for management; Organizational behavior and Business policy.

Supervisory Development Program, University of Alberta, 1988
Program of six, sixteen hour seminars including: Principles of supervision; Human relations for supervisors;
Communications: personal and group; Interviewing techniques for supervisors; Labor relations and the
supervisor; and Instruction skills for supervisors.

CHRONOLOGY OF EMPLOYMENT

Administrative Leave, University of Lethbridge, July 2014 – September 2015

Interim Dean (Internationalization), July 2012 to June 2014
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta

University Librarian, July 2008 to June 2012
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta

University Librarian, June 2001 to June 2008
University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia

Head, Access Services Division, July 1999 to May 2001
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Coordinator, Access Services, November 1996 to May, 1999
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta

Program Librarian, Access Services, July 1992 to November 1996
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta

Audio-Visual Librarian, January 1988 to June 1992
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta

Term/Part time

Reference Librarian (part time) - September 1987-December 1987
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta

Instructional Librarian (part time) - September 1987-December 1987
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Project Librarian (term) - April 1987-August 1987
Alberta Agriculture, Edmonton, Alberta

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Administrative Leave, University of Lethbridge, July 2014-September 2015

Interim Dean (Internationalization) July 2012 to June 2014
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta
This was a new position at the University of Lethbridge. I was requested by the President to lead the strategic
development of campus-wide internationalization strategies.

Leadership:
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• Led the strategic development of campus-wide internationalization
• Chair, Strategic Internationalization Planning Committee (2013-2014)
• Co- Chair, International Coordinating Committee (2013-2014)
• Member of Recruitment Budget Review committee (2013-2014)
• Continued as member of:
o Dean’s Council (2008-2014)
o Academic Budget Council (2008-2014)
o Academic Council (2008-2014)
o General Faculties Council (2008-2013)
o Dean’s Council representative to University Senate (2011-2014)

University Librarian – July 2008 to June 2012
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta

Leadership:
• Created vision and led the Library, Archives and Records Management (RM moved to Human Resources
in fiscal 2010) and University Copyright Advisory Office
• Participated in vision and leadership of overall University as member of Senior Administrative
Committees
• Created environment that fostered innovation, collaboration, team-work, responsiveness and risk-taking
for example
§ Creation of Digitization Team
§ Creation of Scholarly Communications Team
§ Creation of Student Success Team
§ Creation of Peer Assisted Technology Support Students
§ Development and implementation of University’s first mobile app
§ installation of multimedia workstations
• Led staff through significant change and transition within workplace: renovations, reorganization;
restructuring of work and workflows, new systems to support goals in University Strategic Plan, with a
focus on student success and the research needs of a comprehensive university
§ Hired external consultants (R2) to review all library workflows and operations for technical
services and collections (selection to access) and ensured implementation of recommendations
resulting in new workflows, reclassifications, policies and procedures, integrated systems audit
and the ability to install new discovery software to support success in accessing information
• Led strategic planning
• Developed excellent relationships internally and externally
• Ensured library participation in overall institutional leadership goals including:
§ Input into University Academic Plan and University Research Plan
§ AUL member of Strategic Enrollment Management Committee
§ AUL member of CAETL Advisory committee (Teaching and Learning centre)
§ AUL member of Student Community Service Team
§ AUL member of Recruitment and Retention Planning initiatives
§ Liaison librarians as member of all Faculty Councils
• Member of Ongoing Senior University Administrative Committees:
§ Deans’ Council (2008-2014)
§ Dean’s Council representative to Senate (2011-2014)
§ Dean’s Council representative on STP Appeals Committee (2011-2013)
§ Academic Directors’ Council (2008-2014)
§ Senior Administrative Planning Team (2009)
§ Senior Academic/Administrative Budget Planning Committee (2008-2014)
§ Member General Faculties Council (2008-2013)
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• Member of review/search committees:
§ Dean’s Council Representative for Mid-term review committee for Vice-President Academic
(2009-2010)
§ Dean’s Council Representative for Mid-term review committee for Dean, Graduate Studies
(2009-2010)
§ Dean’s Council Representative for Search/Reappointment Committee for Dean Arts/Sciences
(2010-2011)
§ Dean’s Council Representative for Registrar Search Committee (2010-2011)
§ Member, Executive Director Facilities Search Committee (2010-2011)
§ Member, Access Services Supervisor Search Committee (2011)
§ External reviewer for Associate Librarian Tenure and Promotion, University of Calgary (2010)
§ External reviewer for Associate Librarian, Promotion, University of Regina (2011)
• Chair of:
§ GFC Library Committee (2008-2012)
§ Chair GFC Library Committee’s Library Fines Committee (2008-2009; disbanded in
2010)
§ Library Salary, Tenure and Promotion Committee (2008-2012)
§ Librarian Search Committee (2008-2012)
§ Professional librarians committee (2008-2012)
§ Learning Commons Team (2011-2012)
§ University Copyright Project Team (2010-fall 2011)
§ “Moving Forward” task groups (2008)
§ Search Committee Associate University Librarian Client Services (2008-2009)
§ Search Committee Associate University Librarian Information systems and technical services
(2008-2009)
• President, Canadian Association of College and University Libraries (2007-2009)
• Vice-Chair/Chair Elect for Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries (2010-2012)
• Board Member, Canadian Research Knowledge Network, (2011-2012)

Management and Administration:
• Directed and managed the development, allocation and accountability of the University Library human,
information, fiscal, technological and physical resources needed to support student success on and off
campus and to support faculty teaching, research, creativity and scholarship at the University of
Lethbridge
• Approximately 35 FTE staff and 13 librarians
• Demonstrated excellent communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Created a stimulating, supportive, innovative, creative and flexible workplace
§ Invested heavily in staff training and development
§ Worked strategically on faculty and staff recruitment
§ Developed commitment to excellent service
§ Ensured use of progressive and innovative technologies
§ Ensured cross departmental teams
• Managed library budget ($5.5M)
§ Prepared, presented and defended the Library budget in the Academic Budget Council
§ Successfully obtained resources for new faculty positions
§ Successfully obtained one-time funding for numerous initiatives
§ Encouraged librarians to seek staffing grants: successful in Archives, GIS/Government
Documents/Data; Institutional Repository
• Ensured the preservation and enhancement of Library and Archival collections
§ Obtained funding for fulltime Archivist position
§ Created Digital team to support Institutional Repository and digitize unique collections
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§ Supported Blackfoot Digital Library
• Represented the library on consortia and associations such as the Canadian Library Association; Council
of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries; Southern Alberta Information Network; Canadian Research
Knowledge Network, The Alberta Library

University Librarian - June 2001 to June 2008
University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia

Leadership:
• Provided vision and leadership for the Library, Archives and Educational Media Services (EMS 2001-
2005)
• Participated in vision and leadership of overall University as member of Senior Administrative
Committees
• Created environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, team-work, responsiveness and risk-taking
• Led staff through change and transition within workplace: renovations, systems, new positions, growing
university
• Championed Library interests and aspirations on campus and with external communities
• Continued commitment to life-long learning and continuously upgrading of skills and scholarly capacity
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills
• Led strategic planning
• Member of Ongoing Senior University Administrative Committees:
§ President’s Council
§ Academic Planning and Services Committee (2001-2006)
§ Information Technology Committee (2002-2004)
§ Academic Budget Council (2001-2006)
§ University Space Planning
§ University Fees Committee
§ Deans and Directors Council
§ Strategic Academic Plan Steering Committee (2002-2003)
§ Research Task Force
• Chair of:
§ Library Operating Committee (March 2001 -2006 )
§ Advisory Committee for Library Space Planning (2003-2004)
§ Library Space Planning Committee (2002-2003)
§ Innovative Interfaces Implementation Committee (2001-2002)
§ Librarian Team (2001- 2008)
§ Library Service Plan Committee (2001-2005)
§ Librarian Appointment and Promotion Committee (2001- 2008)

• President, Canadian Association of College and University Libraries (2007-2008)
• Vice-President, Canadian Association of College and University Libraries (2006-2007)
• Past President, British Columbia Library Association (2004-2005)
• President, British Columbia Library Association (2003-2004)
• Vice-President, British Columbia Library Association (2002-2003)
• Mentor, Pacific Northwest Library Association Leadership Institute, Washington State (Oct. 2004)

Management and Administration:
• Directed and managed the development, allocation and accountability of the human, information, fiscal,
technological and physical resources needed to support teaching, learning and scholarship at UNBC
through the Library and Archives
• Approximately 21 FTE staff and 9 librarians
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• Worked strategically on faculty and staff recruitment and retention
• Ensured a stimulating, supportive, creative and flexible workplace
§ Invested heavily in staff training and development
§ Ensured commitment to excellent service
§ Ensured use of progressive and innovative technologies
• Managed library budget ($3.4 M)
§ Prepared, presented and defended the Library budget in the Academic Budget Council
• Ensured the preservation and enhancement of Library and Archival collections
• Organized UNBC library external review, November 8-9, 2004
• Led the development of policies and procedures for example, responding to challenges to the collection
• Represented the library on consortia and associations such as the Canadian Library Association; Council
of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries; Electronic Library Network
• Designed, created and implemented Education Resources Centre; worked closely with Head Archivist,
Facilities, Purchasing, and an archival consultant on the design, creation and implementation of the
Northern Archives. Increased space by 50%, ensured proper environmental controls, and integrated all
collections including moving off-site collections into the new space. Created an Information Commons,
renovated reference, circulation and reserves service space. Oversaw design, creation and implementation
of new office, study and shelving space to support extended medical program. Worked with functional
space planner consultant and team of librarians, library staff, faculty and students to create a functional
space plan for the entire library building so that as other space became available on campus, the library
could repatriate the library building. Completed main floor, phase I and phase II, of a 2.8 million dollar
renovation to library; completed repatriation with additional 1.6 million dollar renovation. Library
expanded into four floors, including Archives, Curriculum Lab, Information Commons and enhanced
student space.
• Search Committees:
§ Chair, Associate University Librarian (2006)
§ Chair, Systems Librarian (2005)
§ Member, Medical Librarian, Extended Medical Program, UBC/U.Vic./UNBC (2003-2004)
§ Chair, Northern Health Sciences Librarian (2004)
§ Member, Vice-President Academic and Provost (2003)
§ Chair, Education Librarian (2002)
§ Member, Director of Student Services (2002)
§ Chair, Circulation/Reference Librarian (2001)
§ Member, Development Officer (2001)
• University Governance:
§ Secretary of Senate Committee to the Library (2001-2004) (SCL disbanded Nov. 2004)
§ Member of Senate Committee on Research and Graduate Studies
§ Member of Senate Committee on Academic Planning and Policy
§ Member of Senate
§ Member of Directors’ Negotiating Team (2003-2004)

Relationships within the University and in the Community Beyond
• Worked cooperatively and effectively with University’s senior leadership team, specifically the President,
Vice-Presidents and other Deans
• Worked with Graduate Students’ Association to created dedicated Graduate space and lockers within the
library
• Worked effectively with union environment and with members of the faculty association
• Worked closely and effectively with other University Directors, both academic and administrative
• External reviewer for U. of C. librarian for tenured position as Head, Access Services (2004)
• Participated in external review of UBC University Librarian (2003)
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• Assisted university programs preparing for accreditation visits by providing information and/or meeting
with program accreditation team(s) (ongoing)
• Worked with the provincial library association, other libraries, and library vendors to provide northern
librarians with training opportunities by applying for grants, providing space, access to computer labs,
encouraged programming, encouraged UNBC librarians to take a leadership role

Community of Prince George:
• Judge for student Essay Writing contest for Golden Key Society, Prince George Branch (2007)
• Reader on CBC local radio for annual Christmas Carol Reading, in support of the public library (2006)
• Member, Search Committee for Chief Librarian, Prince George Public library (2003)
• Board Member, Arts Council of Prince George (2002-2003)
• Referee for annual literary award from the Public School Board (2003)

Head, Access Services Division - July 1999 to May 2001
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Leadership:
• Responsible for the development and overall management of Access Services, a new Division within the
libraries comprising of 22.9 FTE library staff
• Change agent – challenged status quo, brought new directions and ideas, worked through resistance and
fear of change to accomplish goals of Access Services
• Built teams, developed staff, managed services through period of extreme change and transition
§ Addressed long-standing labor relations issues
§ Organized and facilitated Access Services staff to systematically review all services and
procedures, to create a foundation for moving forward
§ Ensured effective training and development for all staff including:
§ Supervisory development training
§ Operational training
• Worked closely with Human Resources and Legal Services throughout progressive discipline case to
ensure clear communication and appropriate action
• Assisted staff to prepare cover letters, resumes, and prepare for interviews
• Member of Library Management Committee, the senior management team responsible for the
development of strategies and long-range planning to enable the library to fulfill its mandate, implement
its plans, and achieve its goals.
• Ensured the continuous improvement of library services and operations in the context of student and
faculty needs.

Management and Administration:
• Project manager for Access Services renovations
• Project manager for the investigation, selection and implementation of a new Interlibrary loan
management system
• In conjunction with the Coordinator Staff Training and Development and User Surveys, created and
analyzed results of Interlibrary Loan Services user survey
• Library Committees:
§ Library Management Committee – member, appointed
§ Strategic Planning Review Committee – member, appointed
§ Patron-type Task Force – member, appointed
§ Chair – Circulation Users Group
§ Chair – Document Supply Task Force
§ Staff Training and Development Committee – elected
§ Salary Review Committee – elected
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§ Marketing Library Task Force – member, expression of interest
§ Information Commons Work Group – member, expression of interest

Relationships within the University and in the Community Beyond
• Member of Council of Prairie and Pacific Document Supply Task Force (appointed to be
Saskatchewan representative)
• Chair, Conference Planning Committee, Saskatchewan Library Association, Saskatoon, 2001
• Liaison with Disability Services for Students to address access to library resources for students with
disabilities
• Consultant with SIAST for assessment of library needs vis-à-vis a new librarian position

Coordinator, Access Services - November 1996 to June, 1999
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta

• Promoted from Program librarian to Divisional librarian, September 1997
• Re-engineered and re-organized three independent service units: to create the Access Services Division.
• Coordinated and managed the provision, planning, marketing, evaluation and development of the
Library’s Lending Services (Circulation, Stack Maintenance, Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery,
Reserves, Library Audio-Visual collections)
• Created the Learning Resources Project Factory (Sales & Services retail out-let and educational
technology Help Desk, multi-media resources); 19 FTE staff
• Hired, trained and supervised student assistants to work in the Project Factory
• Provided leadership during a period of extreme change and transition
• Team member on the Learning Resources Planning Team and the Library Senior administrative team;
implementing strategic directions, short term and long term planning, budgeting, human resource
management and resource allocation
• Identified, analyzed and made decisions about processes, services, staffing, and facilities
• Developed policies and procedures
• Relied heavily on effective communication, negotiation and facilitation skills
• Identified, implemented and evaluated planned changed based on data analysis and research of user needs

Program Librarian, Access Services - July 1992 to November 1996
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta

• Promoted from Librarian to Program librarian, July 1992
• Senior library management team-member; leading the overall direction of library services including long-
range planning, human resource management and resource allocation
• Co-ordinated and managed the provision, planning, promotion, evaluation and development of the
Circulation, ILLO and Document Delivery, Reserves, and Audio-visual client service areas; 13 FTE staff
• Developed policies and procedures
• Used effective communication, negotiation and facilitation skills individually and in a team environment
• Provided reference service to students and faculty
• Taught information literacy classes

Audio-Visual Librarian - January 1988 to June 1992
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta
• Recruited, trained and supervised the audio-visual staff and services – 5FTE staff and numerous student
assistants
• Provided reference services to students and faculty
• Developed collections for audio-visual and print resources
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• Participated on committees
• Taught and assisted in the development of information literacy classes
• Catalogued audio-visual materials

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

International
Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA) – international (7 states and two provinces)
• Invited as mentor for first-ever PNLA Leadership Institute, 2 leaders, 8 mentors, 36 participants –
October 2004
• British Columbia representative to Pacific Northwest Library Association – May 2001-2002

National
Canadian Research Knowledge Network: Board Member, elected (2011-2012)

Canadian Library Association (CLA)
• Past-President - Canadian Association of College and University Libraries (CACUL) May 2009-2010
• President - Canadian Association of College and University Libraries (CACUL)(elected) May 2007-
2009
• Vice-President/President Elect – Canadian Association of College and University Libraries (CACUL)
(elected) 2006-May 2007
• As President, British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) worked with President of CLA throughout
joint BCLA/CLA Annual Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, 2004
§ performed ceremonial duties, chaired provincial AGM, presented as panel member in conference
session
• Member of nominating committee for Canadian Association of College and University Libraries
(CACUL), Division of CLA, September 2003 to December 2003
• Mentor for Students at CLA, Toronto, June 2003
• Co-convenor, Resource Sharing Interest Group, July 1999 to June 2001
• Convenor, New Librarians Interest Group, 1996-1997
• Program Co-ordinator, Edmonton Chapter of Canadian Association of Special Librarians and Information
Specialists (CASLIS), Division of CLA, 1987-1989

Regional
Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries
• Vice-Chair/Chair (elected) 2010-2012

Provincial
The Alberta Library (TAL)
• Board member, The Alberta Library (2008-2012)
• Board member, Lois Hole Digital Library (2008-10) (LHDL ended 2010)
• Board member, Lois Hole College and University Libraries (2008-10) (LHCAUL ended 2010)

Library Association of Alberta (LAA)
• President, April 1999 to June 1999 (moved to Saskatchewan for Head, Access Services; worked closely
with LAA executive to ensure smooth transition for new president)
• First Vice-President/President Elect, (elected) May 1998 to April 1999
• Director, Library Association of Alberta, (elected) May 1996-1998
• Director, Library Association of Alberta (elected) 1993-1995
• Chair, Continuing Education Committee
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British Columbia Library Association (BCLA)
• Past President, June 2004 to May 2005
§ Chair, Nominating Committee
§ Chair, Awards Committee
• President,(elected) May 2003 to June 2004
• Vice-President/President Elect, (elected) May 2002-2003

Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA)
• Chair, Conference Planning Committee, Saskatchewan Library Association, Saskatoon, 2001

Local
Greater Edmonton Library Association (GELA)
• Past President, 1992-1993
• President, (elected) 1991-1992
• Vice President, (elected) 1990-1991

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
Publications:
Nussbaumer, A. (2013). Peer reviewed paper. “Organizational culture and internationalization: A brief literature
review”. PhD Research Series: Canadian Bureau of International Educators. http://www.cbie-bcei.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2013/03/CBIE-Research_Nussbaumer_Organizational-Culture-and-Internationalization.pdf

Mathenia, B. and Nussbaumer, A. (2012). Peer reviewed paper in conference proceedings. “Rebooting the
Library Organization: non-library tools and techniques for leading systems organizational change”, ALIA
Biennial Conference, Sydney, Australia, July 2012.

Nussbaumer, A. and Merkley, W. (2010). “The path of transformational change” in the Academic Librarian 2:
ALSR 2010 Conference Proceedings, March 11-12, Hong Kong; also published in peer reviewed journal, Library
Management, vol. 31 Number 8/9, 2010.

Nussbaumer, A., Merkley, W. and B. Mathenia. (2010). “Getting to go: Strategic Use of External Expertise in
Leveraging Change” in 2010 Charleston Conference Proceedings, Charleston, S.C.

Cleyle, Susan and Louise McGillis, eds. (2005) Last One Out Turn Off the Lights: is this the future of American
and Canadian Libraries, Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. Part 4, Chapter 11, pp. 138-150 “Door #1:
Certification. Door #2: Not! Door #3 Real Solutions” written by Alison Nussbaumer.

Nussbaumer, A. (2005). “The First Ever PNLA Leadership Institute: Musings from a Mentor”, PNLA Quarterly.
69:(2) Winter, p. 10.

Nussbaumer, A. “Leading from any position: the first PNLA Leadership Institute from a mentor’s perspective”,
BCLA Reporter. 49(no.3):13, November/December, 2004.

Nussbaumer, A. “President’s Column”, BCLA Reporter, 8 issues, 8 columns, between May 2003-June 2004.

Fox, D., Fritz, L., Kichuk, D. and Nussbaumer,, A.(2001). “University of Saskatchewan Information Commons:
Reconfiguring the Learning Environment”(pdf, internal report). http://library.usask.ca/~fox/ic.pdf

Conference Speaker:
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