Åsa Kachan

Åsa Kachan is the CEO and chief librarian for Halifax Public Libraries, where she oversees 400 staff working across the 14-branch library system. The Libraries received international acclaim with the opening of the new Halifax Central Library in 2014. Halifax Public Libraries is highly regarded for its services, programs and welcoming spaces that reach diverse populations with equality and respect.

Prior to her role with the Libraries, Kachan spent 16 years in senior administrative roles at universities, most recently serving as the assistant vice-president, Enrolment Management & Registrar, for Dalhousie University from 2004 to 2014. During her time at Dalhousie, Kachan made key changes to improve the student experience, including by revamping undergraduate scholarships and bursaries, modernizing admission and recruitment practices, and improving front-line student services.

Kachan holds a master’s in library sciences from Western University and a bachelor of arts in anthropology from the University of Saskatchewan.

She sits on the boards of the United Way of Halifax, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council and the Centre for Equitable Library Access, and on the advisory board for the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University.

Date modified:

2021-09-03