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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Health Libraries Association (CHLA), this plenary panel brings together founding leaders, current practitioners, and emerging professionals to reflect on the association’s past, present, and future. Panelists explore the evolution of CHLA, its support for members across diverse settings, the value of service and connection, national advocacy, and the profession’s ongoing adaptation to technological and systemic change. Historical milestones are interwoven with personal stories and reflections from retired members, highlighting the collaborative spirit that has sustained the association for five decades. The panel concludes with a call to action, inviting members to be inspired by this shared history and to actively carry CHLA forward through engagement, leadership, and collective vision as it continues to shape the future of health librarianship in Canada.

Célébrant le 50e anniversaire de l'Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada (ABSC), cette séance plénière réunit des figures fondatrices, des personnes praticiennes actuelles et des professionnelles et professionnels émergents afin de réfléchir au passé, au présent et à l’avenir de l’association. Les panélistes examinent l’évolution de l'ABSC, son soutien aux membres dans des milieux variés, la valeur de l’engagement et des liens professionnels, le rôle de l’association en matière de représentation nationale, ainsi que l’adaptation continue de la profession aux changements technologiques et systémiques. Des jalons historiques sont entrelacés à des récits personnels et à des témoignages de membres retraités, mettant en lumière l’esprit de collaboration qui soutient l’association depuis cinq décennies. La séance se conclut par un appel à l’action invitant les membres à s’inspirer de cette histoire collective et à contribuer activement à faire progresser l'ABSC par leur engagement, leur leadership et une vision partagée pour l’avenir de la bibliothéconomie de la santé au Canada.

Moderator/Animatrice
Lee Anne Bourke
Associate Librarian, Strategy, University of Ottawa; President, CHLA/ABSC 2014–2015 / Bibliothécaire universitaire associée, Université d’Ottawa, présidente de l'ABSC/CHLA 2014-2015.

Panelists/Panélistes:

David S. Crawford
Founding president of CHLA in 1976 and active member for many years. Emeritus Librarian at McGill University (2002) and CHLA/ABSC Honorary Life Member since 1999. / Fondateur de l'ABSC/CHLA en 1976 et membre actif depuis plusieurs années. Bibliothécaire émérite, Université McGill (2002), membre honoraire à vie de l'ABSC/CHLA depuis 1999.

Kristy Hancock
Division of Medical Sciences Librarian, University of Northern British Columbia. Recipient of the CHLA/ABSC Emerging Leader Award 2023. / Bibliothécaire de la division des sciences médicales, University of Northern British Columbia, récipiendaire du Prix du Flambeau de la relève de l’ABSC/CHLA 2023.

Martine Gagnon
Consulting Librarian, Université Laval. President, CHLA/ABSC 2026. / Bibliothécaire-conseil, Université Laval, présidente de l'ABSC/CHLA 2026.

Janice Thompson
Manager, Library and Research Services, William Osler Health System, Brampton Civic Hospital. / Responsable des services de bibliothèque et de recherche, William Osler Health System, Brampton Civic Hospital.

Hands-on clinical experience is a cornerstone of medical education. Residents spend much of their training in hospitals and clinics, while medical students look forward to clerkship for their supervised, practice-based learning. As Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) School of Medicine (SoM) prepared to open, building relationships with the local healthcare institutions was essential. Among these, the collaboration between the Bikram S. Dhillon and Family Medical Library and the William Osler Health System Library has become central to supporting learners across academic and clinical contexts.

As our healthcare and academic landscapes prepared to welcome learners, it was important for our health libraries to foster meaningful collaborations that enhance evidence-based practice, research, and education. Fostering a connection between our two library systems allowed us to leverage the skills and services at both institutions to support the new medical school. Together, we are able to explore and co-develop initiatives such as shared education programs, referral processes, subject-guide content, and collaborative support services that benefit students, clinicians, and researchers alike.

This presentation explores how partnerships between academic and clinical libraries can bridge institutional silos, foster knowledge exchange, and support the continuum of learning and care. Participants will gain insights into building sustainable partnerships that leverage the strengths of both academic and clinical settings. Emphasis will be placed on communication, mutual goals, and the importance of cultivating trust and shared leadership. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify strategies for initiating and sustaining library partnerships across academic and clinical contexts.

Introduction:
Following a comprehensive survey of library services, our team identified key service gaps and launched a strategic outreach initiative. This initiative evolved into an annual promotional campaign aimed at increasing awareness and engagement with library services and resources across the organization.
Description:
Using design tools such as Canva, we developed visually engaging promotional materials—including email banners, flyers, posters, and newsletters—to spotlight underutilized resources and core services. To ensure relevance and maximize impact, we adopted a targeted outreach approach by tailoring content to specific healthcare specialties. This customization allowed us to speak directly to the unique needs of various departments, fostering stronger connections and encouraging resource utilization.
Outcomes:
The campaign not only improved visibility of library offerings but also positioned the library as a proactive and collaborative partner within the organization. Through consistent and focused promotional efforts, we cultivated relationships with clinical and administrative teams, leading to new opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.
Discussion:
This presentation will share practical strategies for designing and implementing targeted outreach, highlight examples of promotional materials, and discuss lessons learned in building sustainable partnerships. Attendees will gain insights into how strategic communication and visual design can elevate the role of the library.