M. J. (Matthew-Jim) D’Elia
Acting Associate University Librarian, Research
(Appointment: September 2017 – May 2018)
McLaughlin Library, University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
N1G 2W1
mdelia [at] uoguelph.ca
519.824.4120 x56801
Current Position
As a member of the Library Executive Team, the Associate University Librarian, Research provides senior leadership and oversight for the Library, including human resources planning, strategic priority setting, resource allocation, program assessment, and budget management. This role provides direct supervisory support to three strategic teams (Learning & Curriculum Support; Research & Scholarship; Archives & Special Collections) and two operational teams (Information Technology Support; Communications). This portfolio includes approximately 25 librarians and learning professionals, 15 support staff, and 90 student staff, represented by three different union groups and one staff association.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Webinars
How to run a Value Proposition Exercise in your Library. ARL Webinar Series (May 19, 2016).
How to Run Your Library Like a Startup. Sirsi-Dynix Series (June 3, 2015) with Helen Kula
invited sessions: facilitated workshops
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
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
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)
Self-Publications & Web Projects
M.J. D’Elia: Professional Site | http://mjdelia.com | June 2007 –
PIM Labs & The Last Mile podcast | http://pimlabs.ca/ (site deleted) | September 2011 – March 2012 (project halted)
Innovation Boot Camp: Project Blog | http://innovationbootcamp.wordpress.com/ (site inactive) | January 2010 – August 2013 (project completed)
InfoMan2020: Course Blog | http://infoman2020.wordpress.com/ (site inactive) | September 2007 – April 2012 (course responsibilities completed)
Taste 2.0: Project Blog | http://taste20.wordpress.com/ (site inactive) | June 2007 – July 2007 (project completed)
Web Designer – Info*Nation | Canadian Library Association: Working Group on Recruitment (website closed) | December 2005 – August 2006
Proprietor and Webmaster – LibrarianGear | http://www.zazzle.com/librariangear/ | January 2004 –
Professional Commitments & Service
University Committees
Teaching & Learning Plan Committee, Jan 2018 –
Centre for Business and Student Enterprise Advisory Committee, Jan 2018 –
Branch Research Data Centre Advisory Committee, Sept 2017 –
Research Advisory Board, Sept 2017 –
Research Computing Advisory Group, Feb 2018 –
e-Research Services Steering Committee, Sept 2017 –
Student Success Retention Sub-Committee, Jan 2018 –
Administrative Review Committee for CIO/Chief Librarian, June 2017 – July 2017
International Student English Language Pathway Committee, March 2016 – July 2017
Compulsory Fees Committee, Aug 2015 – Aug 2017
Teaching and Learning Innovations Conference Committee (TSS), Jan 2010 – April 2010; Aug 2012 – Aug 2017
Course ReDesign Institute Planning Committee, March 2011 – March 2014
Senate Committee on Open Learning (SCOL), Sept 2006 – Sept 2007
SCOL Academic Review, Sept 2006 – Sept 2007
Library committees & Teams
Library Executive Team, Sept 2017 –
Library Management Team, Jan 2013 –
Library Forum Committee, Chair, September 2011 –
Library Continuing Appointment and Promotion (LCAP), Sept 2017 –
Library Institutional Research Committee, Chair, Sept 2017 –
Continuing Appointment and Promotion (CAP), Appeals Committee, April 2016 – Sept 2017
Library Management Team, Jan 2013 –
Continuing Appointment and Promotion (CAP), April 2010 – May 2012
Project Teams and Working Groups
Virtual Learning Commons Working Group, Jan 2015 – Aug 2017
Digital Scholarship Working Group, Dec 2015 – April 2016
Library Master Space Plan Working Group, July 2012 – April 2014
Cross-Functional Team: Organizational Development, Sept 2011 – Jan 2013
Cross-Functional Team: Web and Information Architecture, Oct 2010 – Jan 2013
Organizational Renewal, L&CS Working Group, Jan 2009 – April 2009
Internal Communications Team, September 2008 – April 2009
ESST: Social Software Working Group, July 2006 – Sept 2007
Emerging Services Steering Team, May 2005 – Oct 2007
Recruitment Committees
Search Committee Member: Electronic Resources & Metadata Manager, June 2017 – Sept 2017
Search Committee Chair: L&CS Associate (Mat Leave Contract), Feb 2016 – April 2016
Search Committee Member: UX Librarian, Sept 2015 – Dec 2015
Search Committee Member: Manager, Library Finance, July 2013 – Aug 2013
Search Committee Member: Supervisor, Communications, Jan 2012
Search Committee Member: Head, Information Resources, Nov 2006 – Feb 2007
Associations
Professional
International Association of Facilitators, April 2017 –
American Library Association (ACRL), March 2006 –
Ontario Library Association, Jan 2005 –
Creative Education Foundation (CEF), Feb 2010 – Feb 2012
Canadian Library Association, July 2011 – Feb 2016
board positions & volunteer service
Givesome Foundation, Board Chair, Aug 2017 –
Givesome Foundation, Board Secretary, Aug 2015 – Aug 2017
Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer builder, Guelph, ON Aug 2008
Junior Boys Volleyball Coach. St. James Catholic Secondary School, Guelph, ON September 2005 – Dec 2005
Research Interests
Applied Imagination and Creative Problem Solving
Innovation in libraries; Creative Problem Solving (Osborn-Parnes process) process; LEGO® SERIOUSPLAY™ methodology in education
Information Literacy & Pedagogy
Embedded information literacy across the curriculum; Active learning strategies; Collaborative learning and group problem-solving
Educational Technology
Micro-credentials, open educational resources, e-textbooks; Multimedia in education (podcasts, video, animation)