2023 Beatty Lecturer: Alanis Obomsawin

One of the most acclaimed Indigenous filmmakers in the world, Alanis Obomsawin, will deliver the 2023 Beatty Lecture at McGill University on Monday, October 16 from 6-7PM at Pollack Hall in McGill’s Strathcona Music Building. Tickets went on sale last week — $5 for students and $10 for general admission. For details visit www.mcgill.ca/beatty/upcoming-lecture or the Facebook event page.

Obomsawin has been creating documentaries for over five decades. Her extraordinary body of work includes the landmark film, Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, released in 1993, which documents the 1990 Kanien’kéhaka (Mohawk) uprising in Kanehsatake and Oka. The National Film Board of Canada has archived Obomsawin’s films and they can be streamed for free here. You can also access most of her films through McGill Libraries (e-video and DVD), as well as some secondary sources, including Alanis Obomsawin: Lifework and Alanis Obomsawin: the vision of a native filmmaker.

Photo credit: Julie Artacho

Introducing Veronica: Liaison Librarian for Kinesiology and Physical Education, Linguistics, and Philosophy

Our Passionate Liaison Librarian with a Knack for Connecting People and Information

We are delighted to introduce our newest team member, Veronica Bergsten to the Humanities and Social Sciences Library as the new Liaison Librarian for Kinesiology and Physical Education, Linguistics, and Philosophy. Veronica is a dedicated librarian with a passion for serving the community and a love for all things music. Her journey into the world of libraries began with a deep-rooted desire to help others and an insatiable curiosity for information.

Veronica Bergsten is a young woman with long dark brown hair and glasses. She is smiling widely with bright red lipstick. She is seen from the chest up, wearing a dark blue shirt.

Veronica’s pursuit of a career in libraries was motivated by her innate love for finding information and connecting with new people. After completing her undergraduate degree, she was drawn to the idea of a profession that would allow her to continuously search for knowledge while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Little did she know that librarianship perfectly encapsulated both of these passions.

As Veronica delved deeper into the profession, she discovered the incredible potential to utilize the skills she had acquired while working in a university setting. Her experiences at the University of Alberta, from her role as a student worker at the University of Alberta Libraries to supervising the ONEcard program, cultivated a service-oriented mindset that became the cornerstone of her professional practice.

During her Master’s of Information Studies program, Veronica further honed her expertise as a Graduate Student Reference Assistant (GSRA) at McGill Library. Here, she had the opportunity to answer reference questions and collaborate with other librarians to conduct workshops. Upon graduation, Veronica embraced the role of a Teaching & Research Librarian at Concordia University Library, where she fostered connections with students, faculty, and researchers across various disciplines. Notably, she played an instrumental role in creating an educational mini-series that explored emerging trends and technologies in the realm of information.

Now, with an array of rich experiences under her belt, Veronica is thrilled to return to McGill and embark on new endeavours in her latest role. Her past experiences have shaped her into a librarian who is committed to helping users on their academic and lifelong journeys. She finds immense joy in teaching users the skills and resources they need, and this unwavering motivation propels her to continuously strive for excellence.

Outside of her professional life, Veronica is a true connoisseur of music. Her free time is often spent attending concerts and scouring record shops in Montreal, a city renowned for its vibrant music scene. Whether it’s discovering new artists to see live or expanding her eclectic vinyl collection, Veronica’s love for music knows no bounds. She even enjoys knitting while listening to her favourite records, creating a harmonious blend of relaxation and creativity.

As our readers appreciate getting to know the individuals behind the library services, Veronica’s diverse range of interests and hobbies truly adds depth to her character. She eagerly welcomes recommendations for record stores and concert venues, always seeking new avenues to explore the world of music:)

We are delighted to have Veronica join our library team, bringing her passion for serving the community, her wealth of experience, and her vibrant personality. Her dedication to connecting people with the information they seek is bound to enhance the services we provide. Let’s give Veronica a warm welcome as she begins this exciting new chapter in her journey as a librarian!

Another Book Added to The Collection of McGill Authors!

On the behalf of the McGill community, we would like to give a huge congratulations to our very own Svetlana Kochkina on one of her recent successes. Head of Lending and Access Services at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library, Svetlana recently published a book based on her dissertation from her PhD here at McGill!

The book, titled “Frances Burney’s “Evelina” : The Book, its History, and its Paratext,” traces the publication history of Burney’s novel from 1778. The book is available for purchase online, as well as through the library as an ebook and print book.

Congratulations once again to Svetlana, a fantastic representation of the talented authors we have within the McGill community!