Christina de Castell is Chief Librarian & CEO at Vancouver Public Library and has held roles bridging technology, collections, research and public service in her more than 20 years as a librarian. She is passionate about the role of libraries in building communities and exploring ideas, and fascinated by the way that technology is changing how we learn and communicate.

Christina is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Advisory Committee, is former vice-chair of the IFLA North America Regional Division, and former member and expert advisor to the IFLA Copyright and Other Legal Matters Advisory Committee. She has represented Canada and the world’s libraries at international forums including the UN on issues related to copyright and internet governance, was vice-chair of the copyright committee for the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB) from 2017-2022, and has held leadership roles related to eBooks and eLending in Canada and internationally since 2010.

Christina is the co-author, with Paul Whitney, of eBooks in Public Libraries: An Evolving Landscape (DeGruyter, 2017), and of a chapter on unintended consequences of the digital shift in Navigating Copyright for Libraries (DeGruyter, 2022) and is a frequent speaker on libraries, copyright and digital issues.

Christina joined VPL in 2006 and was appointed Chief Librarian & CEO in 2018. Her prior roles at VPL include Director of Collections & Technology, Manager of Online Information & News, and Manager, InfoAction. Prior to joining VPL, she worked at the BC Securities Commission.

Christina holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia.