M. J. (Matthew-Jim) D’Elia
Associate Chief Librarian, Engagement & AccessOkanagan Campus Library
University of British Columbia
3287 University Way
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Current Position
The Associate Chief Librarian, Engagement & Access is a member of the Okanagan Library administrative team, jointly responsible for strategic thinking, priority setting, and tactical planning. This position has oversight for Access and Public Services, library communications, several faculty librarians, makerspaceUBCO, and Okanagan Special Collections.
Education
Master of Library and Information Studies, Dalhousie University, 2004
Bachelor of Arts, English and Visual Arts, University of Western Ontario, 2001
Certificate in Writing, University of Western Ontario, 2000
Previous positions
Organizational Development and Effectiveness Librarian, June 2019 – March 2020
Associate University Librarian, Academic (Acting), September 2018 – May 2019
Associate University Librarian, Research (Acting), September 2017 – May 2018
Head, Learning & Curriculum Support, June 2014 – Aug 2017
Head, Learning & Curriculum Support (Acting), Dec 2012 – June 2014
Information Literacy Librarian, Sept 2010 – Dec 2012
Instructor, Marketing & Consumer Studies Department, Sept 2007 – Dec 2016
Liaison Librarian, Economics & Marketing and Consumer Studies, Aug 2004 – Sept 2010
Library Intern, Sexton Library, Dalhousie University, October 2002 – July 2004
Teaching assignments
MCS*4010 and MCS*4020: Special Topics in Consumer Studies: University of Guelph, Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies: Fall 2015
MCS*4100: Entrepreneurship. University of Guelph, Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies. Semesters: Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016
UNIV*1200: The Social Life of Information (Team Taught). University of Guelph, First Year Seminar Program (taught by Michael Ridley with assistance from Doug Horne, Amanda Etches & M.J. D’Elia). Semester: Winter 2014
MCS*2020/MCS*2020 DE: Information Management. University of Guelph, Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies. Semesters: In-class: September 2007 – April 2012; via distance education: May 2010 – April 2012
MGMT*3603: Beyond Google [online]. Dalhousie University, School of Information Management. Semesters: Winter 2011, Winter 2013
Publications
D’Elia, M.J. & Horne, D. (2018). Leaving Liaison Behind: Reflections on the Last Decade. Research Library Issues, 294, 8-15.
Bergart, R. & D’Elia, M. J. (2015). Innovation Boot Camp: A Social Experiment. In A. Molaro & L. L. White (Eds.), The Library Innovation Toolkit (pp 47-58). Chicago: ALA Editions.
D’Elia, M. J. & McCallum, N. (2014). Marketing Information Management: Exploring the Edges of the Information Age (Rev. ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.
Bergart, R. & D’Elia, M. J. (2010). Innovation: The language of learning libraries. Reference Services Review, 38 (4), 606-620.
Bergart, R. & D’Elia, M. J. (2006). Weeding…and climbing Mount Everest by footstool. Access: the magazine of OLA, 12(3), 67.
D’Elia, M. J. (2009). Exploring the Edges of the Information Age. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.
Marvin, J., Perry, C. & D’Elia, M. J. (2008). Information Literacy Strategies for Embedding Geospatial Data Resources into the Curriculum. Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives Bulletin, 132, 20-24.
conferences: Presentations
The Future with Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Computers in Libraries 2024. Washington, DC (March 13, 2024). [invited]
Five Tools to Change Your Team’s Dynamics. Internet Librarian 2023. Virtual Conference (October 19, 2023) with Andrea Cecchetto, Darrell Joyce, Maude Lethiecq-Normand, and Rebecca Jones. [invited]
Decision-making Dartboard: Watch Your Aim. Internet Librarian 2023. Virtual Conference (October 19, 2023) with Scott Hargrove. [invited]
Developing Leaders: An Interactive Discussion. Computers in Libraries 2021. Virtual Conference (March 23, 2021). [invited]
Beta-testing the PEDIA Prototype. Creative Problem-Solving Conference CPSI 2019. Buffalo, NY (June 22, 2019).
Strategic Thinking for the Rest of Us. Computers in Libraries 2019. Washington, DC (March 28, 2019). [invited]
Open Your Mind, Open Your Library: Creative Thinking at Work. Texas Library Association Conference 2016. Houston, TX (April 21, 2016) [invited]
The Experience of Innovation. OLA 5th Annual Institute on the Library as Place. Waterloo, ON (July 7, 2015) with Mary Ann Mavrinac [invited]
Habits not Hype: Startup Thinking 101. Special Library Association Conference 2015. Boston, MA (June 16, 2015) [invited]
Introduction to Customer Development. Computers in Libraries 2015. Washington, DC (April 28, 2015) [invited]
Game-Based Learning. Computers in Libraries 2015. Washington, DC (April 28, 2015) [invited]
Low-Tech Dashboards for Assessment. Library Leaders Summit 2015. Washington, DC (April 28, 2015) [invited]
Nine startup strategies that you should be using now! TechForum Industry Conference 2015. Toronto, ON (March 12, 2015) [invited]
Startup Thinking & Libraries. Internet Librarian Conference 2014. Monterey, CA (October 27, 2014) [invited]
“We love the Library, so don’t screw it up!” Library Master Space Planning. Annual Institute on the Library as Place 2014. London, ON (July 10, 2014) with Kelly Bertrand and Jill Vigers
Startup Library 101. OLA Conference 2014. Toronto, ON. (January 31, 2014) with Helen Kula
Busting out of your Cubicle: Your Creative Self at Work. ALA Conference 2013. Chicago, IL. (June 27, 2013) with Robin Bergart
Startup Library and Sample Pitches. TUG Conference 2013. Waterloo, ON. (April 19, 2013) with pitches from: Jim Brett, Doug Horne, Robin Bergart, Catherine Baird
Building a game layer on top of the library. OLA Conference 2012. Toronto, ON. (February 1-4, 2012) with Robin Bergart
Librarians are like detectives (and other generative analogies...). CLA Conference 2011. Halifax, NS. (May 25 – 28, 2011)
Innovation Boot Camp: Fostering a More Innovative Workplace. OLA Super Conference 2011. Toronto, ON (February 2-5, 2011) with Robin Bergart
Innovation Boot Camp: Fostering a More Innovative Workplace. Creative Problem Solving Institute Conference 2010. Buffalo, NY (June 21-24, 2010) with Robin Bergart
Innovation: The Language of Learning Libraries. LOEX of the West Conference 2010. Calgary, AB (June 11-12, 2010) with Randy Oldham and Robin Bergart (in absentia)
Information Literacy in the Age of YouTube. APLA Conference 2009. Halifax, NS (June 11, 2009)
Habits of information literacy: An embedded approach to instruction. OLA Super Conference 2009. Toronto, ON (Jan 31, 2009) with Jennifer Marvin & Carol Perry
I.L. strategies for embedding geospatial data resources into the curriculum. CARTO 2008 (ACMLA/CCA). Vancouver, BC (May 16, 2008) with Jennifer Marvin and Carol Perry
An exploratory study of students’ perceptions of the relevance of IL. WILU 2007 Conference. Toronto, ON [York University] (May 18, 2007) with Robin Bergart
Learning incorporated: Active role-playing in Information Management. Teaching Innovations Conference. Guelph, ON (May 15, 2007)
Connections not categories. OLA Super Conference 2006. Toronto, ON (February 2, 2006)
conferences: Facilitated Workshops
Facilitation: Pictures & Problem Solving. Computers in Libraries 2019. Washington, DC (March 25, 2019). [invited]
Graphic Techniques. Internet Librarian 2018. Monterey, CA (October 15, 2018). [invited]
Best Strategies Challenge with Lego. IFLA President’s Meeting. Toronto, ON (April 7, 2016) [invited]
Pitch Camp: Techniques and Strategies to Move Others. Writers Workshop 2016. Guelph, ON (February 16, 2016)
Business Models for Library Success. Computers in Libraries 2015. Washington, DC (April 26, 2015) [invited]
Startup Thinking 101. Internet Librarian Conference 2014. Monterey, CA (October 26, 2014) [invited]
Thinking, Playing & Learning with Lego. Computers in Libraries 2014. Washington, DC (April 6, 2014) [invited]
Four Strategies of Inventive Thinking. Computers in Libraries 2014. Washington, DC (April 6, 2014) [invited]
Startup Library: Full Day Workshop. OCULA Fall Conference 2013. Ottawa, ON. (October 25, 2013) [invited]
Innovation Boot Camp: Learn Faster. OALT/ABO Conference 2012. King City, ON. [Seneca College]. (May 4, 2012) with Robin Bergart [invited]
Innovation Boot Camp: Half-Day Workshop. ACRL WNY/O Spring Conference 2011. Jordan, ON. (April 29, 2011) with Robin Bergart (in absentia), Randy Oldham & Sarah Barriage [invited]
Innovation Boot Camp: Flexing your Creative Muscle. ACRL Preconference 2011. Philadelphia, PA (March 30, 2011) with Robin Bergart (in absentia), Robin Sakowski & Randy Oldham [peer reviewed]
Key Performance Indicators. CIO Executive Retreat, University of Guelph Library. Guelph, ON (June 7, 2010) with Robin Bergart [invited]
conferences: Posters, Panels & Informal Talks
Skills for the Future [Panel]. Library Leaders Summit @ Computers in Libraries 2024. Washington, DC (March 13, 2024) with Jonathan Thill, Steven Bell, Carlos Crespo, Maria Lopez. [invited]
Library Partnerships [Panel]. Library Leaders Summit @ Computers in Libraries 2024. Washington, DC (March 12, 2024) with Elaine Lasda. [invited]
Facilitation: Your Workplace Superpower [Webinar/Panel]. Summit Sidebar. (February 8, 2024) with Dan Pontrefact and Jeremie LeBlanc. [invited]
Critical Thinking: Three Paths to Meaning [Webinar/Panel]. Summit Sidebar. (January 22, 2024) with Amy Affelt and Christel Trøstrup. [invited]
Decision Lab. Games to Fun in Learning Symposium. Toronto, ON (September 27, 2019). [accepted, but canceled due to COVID-19]
Empowering Risk: Promoting Talent and Advancing Careers Through Interim Opportunities. Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2019. Toronto, ON (January 30, 2019) with Nicole Nolan, Melanie Mills, & Laurie Morrison.
Design Thinking Wallet Challenge. UX, Design & Customer Engagement Symposium. Toronto, ON (March 3, 2017). [invited]
How to run a Value Proposition Exercise in your Library. Association of Research Libraries Webinar Series (May 19, 2016). [invited]
How to Run Your Library Like a Startup. Sirsi-Dynix Series (June 3, 2015) with Helen Kula.
Startups and Libraries: When worlds collide [Ignite talk]. VentureWell Conference 2015. Washington, DC (March 21, 2015)
Learning to have a Startup Mindset. Flat Army Symposium. iSchool, University of Toronto (November 13, 2014) with Helen Kula
Libraries Meet Startups: An Unusual Love Story. Code Meet Print Toronto Meetup. Toronto, ON (September 18, 2014)
Extreme Makeovers & Mindshifts: People & Places [Panel]. Computers in Libraries 2014. Washington, DC (April 8, 2014) with Erik Boekesteijn and Nate Hill
The Learner-Centredness Project [Poster]. Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 2014. Kingston, ON (June 18, 2014) with Erin Aspenlieder and Natasha Kenny
Lego Serious Play. Ryerson University Library: Staff Development Day. Toronto, ON (December 10, 2013)
Learning with Lego. MOOCs and Libraries Symposium. iSchool, University of Toronto (September 30, 2013)
Learning with Lego. Creative Making Symposium. iSchool, University of Toronto (July 22, 2013)
Startup Library [Digital Poster]. OCULA Spring Conference 2013. Jordan, ON (April 26, 2013)
Hit the Bricks! Playing with Lego at Work [Ignite Talk]. Ignite Waterloo 10. Waterloo, ON (October 23, 2012)
Innovation Boot Camp. University of Waterloo Library: Lunch and Learn. Waterloo, ON (February 23, 2011) with Robin Bergart
Active learning, role-playing and information literacy [Poster session]. OLA Super Conference 2008. Toronto, ON (Jan 31, 2008)
Information literacy: Program or process? A reality check [Panel]. OLA Super Conference 2007. Toronto, ON (February 2, 2007) with Melanie Boyd and Marilyn McDermott
invited sessions: facilitated workshops
Paper, Pens, and Problem Solving. [Virtual Workshop]. Austin Public Library Staff Development Day (August 11, 2023).
Take a Look at Miro. [Virtual workshop]. Austin Public Library Staff Development Day (August 11, 2023).
Creativity @ Work. University of Manitoba Libraries. Winnipeg, MB (February 4, 2019).
The LEGO SWOT. University of Toronto Libraries. Toronto, ON (January 25, 2019).
Re-imagining Customer Service: Full-day workshop. Humber Libraries. Toronto, ON (May 14, 2018)
Library Tech Day: Half-day Workshop. Seneca Libraries. Toronto, ON (March 1, 2017)
Creative Problem Solving: Full-day Workshop. Media, Trades and Technology Division, Niagara College. St. Catharines, ON (Jan 5, 2016)
Design Thinking 101: Half-day Workshop. Innisfil Public Library. Innisfil, ON (Oct 26, 2015)
Value Proposition Design: Half-day Workshop. University of Toronto Libraries. Toronto, ON (Oct 13, 2015)
Design Thinking 101: Full-day Workshop. Southern Ontario Library Service. Richmond Hill & London, ON (June 22, 25, 2015)
ARL Liaison Librarian Institute: Facilitated Sessions. Cornell University. Ithaca, NY (June 10-12, 2015)
Library of Parliament Service Transformation: Staff Engagement Sessions. Library of Parliament. Ottawa, ON (March 2-3, 2015)
Innovation Boot Camp: Team Building. McMaster Library. Ancaster, ON (October 29, 2014)
From Plan to Action: Full Day Facilitated Engagement. University of Toronto Libraries: Senior Leadership Team. Toronto, ON (June 12, 2014)
The Maker Mindset: Half-Day Workshop. Hamilton-Wentworth School Board: Development Day. Hamilton, ON (May 2, 2014)
Innovation Boot Camp: Half-Day Workshop. Niagara College Administrators. Niagara on the Lake, ON (March 7, 2014)
Startup Thinking 101: Webinar Series. IslandLink Library Federation. Victoria, BC. (Feb 6, 13, & 27, 2014)
Lego Serious Play. Ryerson University Library: Staff Development Day. Toronto, ON. (December 10, 2013)
The Future of the OLA Super Conference: Half-Day Workshop. University of Toronto iSchool. Toronto, ON (June 11, 2013)
Finders Are Keepers: Half-Day Workshop on Problem Identification. JAN Kelley Marketing. Burlington, ON (May 10, 2013)
Innovation Boot Camp: Full-Day Workshop. University of British Columbia Library. Vancouver, BC (April 10, 2013)
Innovation Boot Camp: Half-Day Workshop. Queen’s University Library. Kingston, ON (April 18, 2013)
The Startup Library: Four Workshops. Innovation Guelph. Guelph, ON (March 8, March 15, April 5, April 12, 2013) with Amanda Etches, Robin Bergart, & Doug Horne
Strategic Planning / Staff Development: Multiple Engagements. Seneca College Libraries. Toronto, ON (Oct 29, Dec 12, Dec 18, 2012; Jan 28, 2013)
Innovation Boot Camp: Half-Day Workshop. Humber College Library. Toronto, ON (August 30, 2012)
Rapid Prototyping & Innovation Boot Camp. Ontario Library Association Staff Development. Toronto, ON (August 11, 2011) with Robin Bergart
Innovation Boot Camp: Half-Day Workshop. University of Toronto at Mississauga Library. Mississauga, ON (July 8, 2011) with Robin Bergart
Media & Miscellaneous
You Inc: Cultivating Your Inner Entrepreneur [podcast interview]. DJ and Da Bear (DeEtta Jones & Richard Dent): Voice of America (April 13, 2015)
OLA Super Conference 2014: Interview with M.J. D’Elia [video interview]. Interviewer: Erik Boekesteijn (January 31, 2014)
Honours, Awards and Professional Recognition
Larry Moore Distinguished Service Award, OLA, 2014
OCULA Special Achievement Award for Innovation Boot Camp (with Robin Bergart), 2012
Desire2Excel Teaching and Learning Award nominee, 2009 (Desire2Learn Inc.)
Presidential Distinguished Librarian Award, 2006-2008 (University of Guelph)
Louis Vagianos Medal, 2004 (Dalhousie University)
Academic Gold Medal Recipient, 2001 (University of Western Ontario)
Event Planning
Southern California Online User Group (SCOUG) Shark Tank Conference (Co-organizer and Coach). Monterey, CA (October 12-14, 2018).
Startup Weekend Guelph (Event Co-organizer). McLaughlin Library, University of Guelph. Guelph, ON (August 28 – 30, 2015)
Startup Weekend Guelph (Event Co-organizer). McLaughlin Library, University of Guelph. Guelph, ON (August 15 – 17, 2014)
Startup Weekend Toronto EDU: Library Edition (Event Co-organizer). Mozilla Community Space, Toronto, ON (March 28 – 30, 2014)
Significant Professional Development
The Five Behaviors: Certified Facilitator. Wiley Workplace. (March 2024).
Everything DiSC: Certified Facilitator. Wiley Workplace (February 2024).
Team Performance Model: Certified Facilitator. The Grove Consultants International (November 2022).
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Courses: 1) Essentials of Cultural Competence, 2) Reducing the Negative Impact of Bias; 3) Integrating Inclusion into Organizational Practices; 4) Enabling Equity. DeEtta Jones Consulting [online courses] (July – Oct, 2021).
Manulife Board Governance Boot Camp. Capacity Canada, Kitchener, ON (November 15-17, 2018; March 6, 2019).
ARL Leadership Fellows Program. Association of Research Libraries, Washington, DC (January 2016 – May 2017)
Startup Weekend Toronto. The Working Group, Toronto, ON (November 9 – 11, 2012)
Price-Babson Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators (SEE). Babson College, Wellesley, MA (May 28 – June 1, 2012)
LEGO® SERIOUSPLAY™ Methodology Facilitator Training (16 hours). Lloyd Smith Solutions. Thinkspot. Burlington, ON (December 3-4, 2011)
Building Leadership Effectiveness. University of Guelph, Learning and Development (March 24-25, 2011)
LEGO® SERIOUSPLAY™ Methodology Facilitator Training (8 hours) Lloyd Smith Solutions & Creative Education Foundation (June 20, 2010). Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) Preconference 2010, Buffalo, NY
Immersion 2006. Institute for Information Literacy (Teacher Track). Association of College and Research Libraries. Simmons College, Boston, MA (July 28-August 2, 2006)
Level 1 Management Training. Association of Research Libraries Office of Leadership and Management Services. McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (November 17-19, 2004)
Associations
Professional
British Columbia Library Association (BCLA), April 2024 –
International Association of Facilitators, April 2017 –
American Library Association (ACRL), March 2006 – Feb 2019
Ontario Library Association, Jan 2005 –
Creative Education Foundation (CEF), Feb 2010 – Feb 2012
Canadian Library Association, July 2011 – Feb 2016
board positions & volunteer service
See the Good Foundation, Board Chair, July 2023 – ongoing
Givesome Foundation, Board Chair, Aug 2017 –
Givesome Foundation, Board Secretary, Aug 2015 – Aug 2017
Research Interests
Applied Imagination and Creative Problem Solving
Entrepreneurial thinking; Creative Problem Solving (Osborn-Parnes process); LEGO® SERIOUSPLAY™ methodology
Management and leadership
Organizational culture; leadership coaching and development; management skill training; strategic thinking applied to public sector and not-for-profit organizations
team performance
Vulnerability-based trust; role and goal clarity; organizational alignment; team culture and accountability; high-performing teams.