Introducing Your New Co-Chairs!

Hello wonderful group members!

If you are subscribed to the group’s listserv you will know that there are two new Co-Chairs, Amara Charters (myself) and Lindsay Russell. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves:

Amara Charters is a queer femme born in Vancouver and currently living in New Westminster. She has worked as a Library Technician for the Vancouver Public Library since January 2015, specializing in children’s and teens services (specifically programming and reader’s advisory). Her favourite part of her job is interacting with people and helping connect them with the resources and information that they need.

In her down time, Amara likes to embroider (she even has an Etsy shop), watch Netflix, and (of course) read. Her career goal is to work primarily with kids and their caregivers in the library. She was probably a social worker in another life.

Hi everyone! I’m Lindsay, one of the new co-conveners of this group. I’m a Library Technician working at the Port Moody Public Library, doing everything from shelving, to circulation, to working on the information desk. I’m also currently working on my BA in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies at SFU, en route to eventually getting my MLIS.

After spending my young teen years desperately (and unsuccessfully) seeking out any LGBTQ+ books, I finally read my first YA book with a bisexual character at the ripe old age of 22 (Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith if you’re curious). That has since stoked a fiery passion for any and all LGBTQ+ books, especially YA and children’s. I am thrilled by the boom of diversity that has been happening in YA books, especially as they explore more nuanced sexualities and gender identities.

When I have any free time I like to play board games and tabletop games, watch TV shows, and lift weights.

You can find our contact information on the BCLA page for the group. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, ideas, or comments! We are both excited to work with everyone and are looking forward to coming up with and implementing ideas.