Valerie’s Resume

This page details my library-related experience and education. For the full version of my resume, please email me.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO • 2025
Master of Library and Information Science

Courses:

  • Perspectives on Library and Information Science
  • Information Sources and Services
  • Information Organization, Curation, and Access
  • Managing and Working in Information Organizations
  • Youth in Context
  • Reader Services
  • Feminist Art Field School
    • See Why Murals for a multi-media exploration of the context and impact of large-scale public art completed for this class.
  • Research Methods
  • Collection Management
  • Informing and Unforming Colonial Imaginaries
  • Children’s Materials
  • Descriptive Cataloguing
  • Accessibility in Information Environments
  • Public Libraries
  • Independent Study with Professor Pam McKenzie
    • Poster Presentation: Chong, V., Gleason, M., Knyf, N., Moorhead, E., Schnurr, C., Smith J., Stewart, M., McKenzie, P. Creating Inclusive Learning Environments. University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference; May 1, 2025; Waterloo, ON.
    • Download The Potential for Open Communities in Digital Learning Spaces by Chong, V. & Stewart, M., at https://bit.ly/Open-Communities.

EXPERIENCE

WESTERN LIBRARIES, WESTERN UNIVERSITY • May 2024 – Dec 2024
Co-op Student, Content & Collections Strategy Team
Western Licensing Project (WELP): Supported access to digital learning resources by interpreting license agreements, navigating purchase order records in ALMA, and maintaining accurate data in the library management system to ensure compliance and availability for instructional use

Monograph Assessment Project (MAP): Informed collection development by conducting literature review, analyzing acquisition data in Excel, and creating reports in ALMA to evaluate monographs against historical benchmarks and evolving faculty teaching needs

KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY • Jan 2024 – Present
Local History Volunteer
Digitizes and organizes historical obituaries from the Waterloo Regional Record to enhance public access in local history; applies digital literacy and archival practices such as microfilm scanning, image enhancement, metadata application

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY • Dec 2019 – Present
Programs Volunteer & Gallery Docent
Facilitates educational and cultural programming for children and families at Queen’s Square (central branch) via interactive activities that support creative expression and informal learning; provides welcoming and informative environment to visitors at Cambridge Art Gallery within Queen’s Square.

FRIENDS OF THE GUELPH PUBLIC LIBRARY • Oct 2018 – Present
Sorting & Event Volunteer
Sorts donated materials according to relevance, condition, and category; facilitates annual Big Book Sale weekend through a variety of roles including table monitor, book tally, and checkout.