Interview with Amanda Ross-White, President of the Canadian Health Libraries Association

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Amanda Ross-White. Amanda is the current president of the Canadian Health Libraries Association/Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada (CHLA/ABSC). My interview with her is below. 

1. Please introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Amanda Ross-White. I am currently Interim Head of the Bracken Health Sciences Library at Queen’s University and President of the CHLA-ABSC.

2. Briefly describe the work of the Canadian Health Libraries Association.

The Canadian Health Libraries Association was founded in 1976 as a Canadian not-for-profit professional association. Before that, we were a chapter of the Medical Library Association and a group called the Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services.  

We have about 300 members across the country who work in a variety of health and medical settings, from universities and colleges that train our future health care workers, to hospitals and public health units, as well as government agencies and public libraries that provide consumer health information. We exist to promote and advocate for high quality health information and library services through education, funding opportunities, knowledge sharing, research, and collaboration.

3. Why did you decide to become involved with the Canadian Health Libraries Association? 

I believe being professionally active in an association is an important part of my career. It’s where I learn about what’s going on in libraries across the country, what things other librarians in similar roles to my own might be doing, what new products and services are available from vendors, and discover opportunities to network and grow in my career.  

There have been many times I’ve been able to reach out to a colleague and connect them with one of the graduates from Queen’s who is hoping to continue working with a librarian after they’ve graduated. It’s  great to be able to say: “I’m not able to help you with that, but my friend is the librarian at the BC Cancer Agency, and she can help you now that you’re working there.”  

I work with CHLA both because it is are most directly associated with my work, and because it is a small enough organization that I can get to know most people who are involved. It doesn’t feel like you’re alone, but also doesn’t feel like you’re lost in a crowd.

4. What are a few of the Association’s current initiatives?

We are focusing on several important initiatives. One is advocacy for the profession. We are at a time when libraries and librarians are under attack. While our public library colleagues are seeing this through book bans, in health libraries we are also seeing the rise of anti-science politics and funding cuts. Often, people love their libraries, but think that someone else should pay for them! With pressure on healthcare funding, librarians are often easy to cut from a political standpoint, because we are not front-line healthcare workers. It is important for us to do a better job of advocating for our role, and explaining how our work helps front-line health care workers do a better job, have more time for care, and provide the best evidence.  

Another important initiative for us at CHLA is improving diversity, equity and inclusion in our profession. For too long, librarians have typically been middle-aged, white women, like myself. We need to do a better job of recruiting for a more diverse profession, mentoring the next generation of librarians and ensuring all voices are heard. CHLA has been trying to do this by having EDI and Indigenous Matters committees that advise us in our work, and by introducing lower membership rates and conference fees for library technicians and equity-seeking groups.

5. How can new librarians become involved in the Association? 

Start by visiting our website at https://chla-absc.ca/! You can find out more about the Association and help determine if it’s the right professional fit for you. We have several committees that you can join, as well as local groups that meet for social events—both great ways to meet others in your area, and find out more about things we are working on. An organization is only as strong as its members; we are eager to work with you on initiatives that are important for your professional growth.

6. Is there anything else you would like to share?

I have been working as a librarian for nearly 25 years, and staying involved in CHLA keeps me excited and engaged. It is so refreshing to see all the great work being done across the country in so many different types of libraries. I think I am very lucky to have landed among such a great group of people.