Harbour West Consulting Recruits Chief Librarian for the New Westminster Public Library
March 27, 2024 – Executive recruitment firm Harbour West Consulting Inc. has placed Carolyn Caseñas as chief librarian for the New Westminster Public Library. Ms. Caseñas was selected for the role after a comprehensive search process in collaboration with the search committee, Harbour West Consulting, and with the approval of the library’s board of trustees. “New Westminster Public Library is thrilled to announce its new chief librarian,” said Elaine Su, library board chair. “Carolyn Caseñas is an established and trusted leader committed to advancing the capacity of member libraries. Carolyn brings knowledge and experience in non‐profit board governance, program development, and team leadership. Carolyn comes to the role with member-service lens and deep understanding of the public library sector. We look forward to working with Carolyn.”
The search for a new chief librarian followed the departure of Jorge Cardenas last June, after he moved on to a similar job at Simon Fraser University’s Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library.
“We are so proud to have supported this successful search,” Harbour West Consulting said. “Wishing everyone all the best in this next chapter.”
Ms. Caseñas was most recently the assistant head of Simon Fraser University’s Fraser Library. Prior to joining that, she worked as an on‐call librarian, information services librarian and teen services librarian at Surrey libraries. Before this, Ms. Caseñas worked as an on-call librarian in New Westminster. In 2010, she joined another NWPL librarian in hosting a workshop on a workshop on journalling or blogging at the Royal City Book Festival.
“I am honored to be joining New Westminster Public Library as the new chief librarian,” Ms. Caseñas said. “I look forward to working with the board and staff to advance the organization’s vision, programs, and services to enable our members to best serve their communities.”
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Located in British Columbia, New Westminster Public Library meets the challenges facing libraries today “by striving to balance the needs of traditional library users with those seeking the tools and experiences of a modern, technologically relevant public space.” From directories and newspapers published in the 1800s to online news databases and downloadable e-books, the library’s mission is to provide the means for our entire community to continually grow, learn, succeed, and enjoy.
Serving Canada
Harbour West Consulting Inc. offers executive and leadership search services across sectors. The firm has extensive experience identifying high-caliber candidates and completing senior-level searches for post-secondary institutions, non-profits, municipalities and a diversity of businesses across Canada. Among the firm’s past searches are those for the City of New Westminster, the Center for Drug Research and Development, the City of Surrey, the PHS Community Services Society and the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Carol Robinson is principal and owner of the North Vancouver-based boutique search firm. She became a founding equity partner of Harbour West Consulting in 2008. Ms. Robinson specializes in executive search within public, non-profit and community service sector. She spent her early career at Caldwell Partners as well as the Board Resourcing and Development Office, Office of the Premier (British Columbia provincial government), where she led the provincial appointment process for multi-level provincial agencies, organizations and crown corporations. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a human resources management certificate from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
