Learn with LiRN 2026
DoubleTree Hotel, 108 Chestnut St., Toronto
Oct. 22 – 23, 2026
Programme
Brent Arnold – AI the most disruptive technology – what it means for courthouse libraries
– Presentation SLIDES
AI is the most disruptive technology since the internet and is already transforming the the practice and the business of law. In this session, Brent Arnold will discuss the benefits and hazards of AI for lawyers and what it means for law libraries and librarians. Brent will delve into they types of AI, products available, will do live demos of the products, the current regulatory backdrop, and leave lots of room for questions!
Brent Arnold is a seasoned litigator with over 20 years of experience specializing in cybersecurity, privacy, and commercial litigation. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has been recognized in Best Lawyers™ in Canada and the Lexpert Directory. His expertise lies at the intersection of law and technology, where he provides practical guidance on managing complex litigation, cyber risk and data breach response.
Brent is a sought-after public speaker and has been quoted in leading national newspapers, appeared several times on CBC television and radio, and hosts the Net Positive podcast.
Here are the cybersecurity resources Brent recommended to the attendees, which aren’t in the slides themselves:
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
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Brent J. Arnold M.A., JD Principal |
235 Carlaw Avenue, 5th Floor, Toronto M4M 2S1, Canada |
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Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2026 Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2025 Ranked in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2025 Ranked in Lexpert Special Edition: Technology 2025 |
T: 647.372.5145 M: 416.347.2737 |
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Knowledge Engineers – Today’s Library Staff and the advent of AI technology Presentation SLIDES
Library staff have been working with legal tech for over 50 years, since the creation of Lexis, Quicklaw and Westlaw!
Learn more about how you have the skills to adapt to this latest technology with Kristin Hodgins of LegalTech Hub.
Legaltech Hub maintains and builds a comprehensive library of content written by respected industry experts, including solution guides, procurement roadmaps, innovation, KM, digital transformation and Generative AI know-how, and legal tech resources to increase lawyer fluency.
Kristin may be familiar to courthouse library staff through her membership with CALL for many years. She has worked closely with the courthouse librarians in BC and Alberta while working in governments there. She is presently the Senior legal operations at LTH and a strategy leader with 15+ years driving cross-functional execution, organizational effectiveness, and large-scale transformation across legal, regulatory, and tech environments. Extensive experience with:
- Vendor- and client-side legal tech procurement
- Customer success
- Legal tech product development, management and implementation
- Legal operations department design
- Leading large scale, multi-year, multi-vendor projects
- Organizational design, service design, change leadership
CanLII + AI – Remote Access to Reputable Canadian AI
– Presentation SLIDES
Brenda Alm – CanLII – Manager of Partnerships and Content
CanLII (Lexum) will demonstrate the power of CanLII Search+, how it works, what to watch out form and design decisions. Learn about this important – and free! – AI legal research tool.
Beyond the Stacks: Engaging Today’s Law Students
– Presentation SLIDES
Alexia Loumankis (Reference & Research Librarian) & John Bolan, (Head of Instructional Services) | Bora Laskin Law Library | University of Toronto
Before joining the University of Toronto’s Bora Laskin Law Library in 2015 as the Reference and Research Librarian, Alexia Loumankis was the Manager and Reference Librarian at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General Law Library and a Librarian at a national law firm. Alexia is active in both the Toronto Association of Law Libraries and the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.
John Bolan is the Head of Instructional services at the library, where’s been since 2010. He’s been an adjunct instructor at both the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Information at U of T, teaching about legal information resources and legal writing. He obtained his Masters in Information Studies from University of Toronto, and his undergraduate degree as well as his law degree from Queens.
Indigenous Women in Incarceration
– Presentation SLIDES
Kelly Potvin – Executive Director of Elizabeth Fry Toronto
As an integral part of the justice system, you often see indigenous women in the courthouse, awaiting their fate. Many of you offer meaningful supports such as Stormont’s Gently Used Clothing for those who are discharged but without proper attire, and Durham’s Blessings Bags.
LiRN is offering an opportunity to deepen your understanding of what Canadian indigenous women face once incarcerated.
Content Note: This session includes discussion of the realities of Canadian women’s prisons, including conditions of confinement may not be compliant with the Geneva Convention on the ethical treatment of prisoners. The content may be intense or distressing for some participants. We invite you to engage in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you.
LiRN Update – Presentation SLIDES
Presenters: Theresa Leitch (Managing Director, LiRN)
- Introduction of new Law Librarian: Jennifer Walker
- LiRN LiNK
- Update on Library Operations Policy
- Update on LibChat/ Text roll-out – now called ReferenceLink
LiRN thanks our e-LiRN sponsors of Learn with LiRN 2026.
This support is key to helping us host our Group dinner on Thursday night!
Conference Agenda
Remote Attendance
Once again LiRN will offer remote attendance for those who cannot attend in person. While we encourage as you to take advantage of in person networking opportunities, we will make efforts to include you in the conversation via Zoom. Staff will monitor the chat for questions and comments during presentations.
When joining the Zoom call, please ensure that your name and association are clearly identified to be admitted.
Remote Meeting Room via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83456436685
Conference Deadlines
If your attendance changes, please let both LiRN and the Hotel know as quickly as possible.
| Deadlines for LWL 2026 | Date |
| Conference Registration | Oct. 9 |
| Hotel Reservation at the Toronto DoubleTree Hilton | Sept. 30 |
| Thursday Group Dinner Reservation at Trios Bistro | Oct. 6 |
| Last day to Cancel Hotel / Registration | Oct. 17 |
| Expense Form Deadline for Reimbursement from LiRN | Nov. 23 |
Head Shots
This year LiRN has arranged with Dom Productions to provide 45 library staff with the opportunity to book a professional headshot!
LiRN is offering professional headshots during the conference. Take advantage of the opportunity to update your LinkedIn profile, website, or other professional materials.
The photographer will provide you with 2 options and with light touch-ups.
Theresa has worked with this photographer for her current headshot and found her very easy and helpful to work with.
Headshots will be done on Friday (9 am to 1 pm) in the area where the vendors are on Thursday. Please be respectful when leaving your seat during a presentation and not disrupt the ongoing presentation.
Link to book your headshot https://calendly.com/domproductions/learn-with-lirn-2026
Fun Photo Booth
And because work can also include fun, our photographer will also be bringing a photo booth with props on Friday. Join your colleagues for a laugh and a few memorable photos.
YOU!
The conference will kick off with a chance for everyone to get acquainted and renew old friendships.
Please be prepared to introduce yourself to your colleagues with some interesting facts about yourself.
This year, we are also asking you to share an interesting innovation or reference question that you have had. Your colleagues want to learn from YOU!
What is the Innovation that you are most proud of? OR What reference question had you stumped but you saved the day! Share with your colleagues some great feedback that acknowledged the great work that you have done!
In order to facilitate relationships across the network, we will have assigned seating for Thursday only. We hope that you will make at least one contact to help you when you need to phone a friend!
Vendor Booths on Thursday
Westlaw, Lexis+, vlex – Back this year! rangefinder.ca will be here as well this year.
Our vendors will be in booths on Thursday (only) if you have any questions for them.
Tour of the Great Library – 130 Queen St. West
On Friday afternoon at 1:30, join the Great Library Staff for a tour of their recently renovated space and an overview of the recent changes that have taken place. This is a great chance to meet their Great Librarians and their team!
Many of you have signed up for customized library pages, complete with association branding. If you haven’t, this visit offers a chance to learn more about this option.
The majestic Great Library room is also well-known for its striking architecture, which has been featured in films and stunning photography! If you have not visited before, it is worth your time!
Getting There: 130 Queen St. West – Osgoode Hall.
Meet in the hotel lobby at 1:15 to walk over together (5 minute walk). Fully accessible.
Conference Registration
Learn with LiRN 2026 Registration Form -DEADLINE – Oct. 9th for meals
Please complete so that we have your dietary needs for in-person attendance (based upon the hotel’s caterers).
Why you should attend!
- Great networking opportunities to meet/reconnect with your library colleagues across the province
- Customized professional development sessions for courthouse libraries
- Learn from your colleagues about best practices and innovations that they do in their libraries
- Get your elevator speech ready to introduce yourself to your colleagues
- Learn about interesting reference questions that they have handled
- Explore new tools and strategies in legal librarianship today
- Networking, learning and growth await you!
Group Dinner – Thursday evening
This year our group dinner will be held at the Trios Bistro located inside the Marriott Hotel at 525 Bay Street, Toronto (a short walk from the Hilton).
Please RSVP by October 6 even if you do not plan to attend. Those who do not RSVP will be assumed to be attending (and you will not be reimbursed for any other meals that day). The default dinner choice for those who do not RSVP will be Caesar Salad, Chicken Rigatoni Alla Vodka and Basque Cheesecake.
Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 PM Dinner RSVP at the Trios Bistro
Conference FAQs
Learn all the information you will need about attending the conference including suggested attire.
Hotel Reservation
- This year Learn with LiRN 2026 will once again be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 108 Chestnut St., Toronto.
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Attendees can make a reservation by calling 1-800-445-8667 or the hotel directly at 416-977-5000. Please mention the group code CDT95K along with your intended dates of stay to secure the group rate.
Note: The booking weblink will expire on September 30th, 2026 and cancellations must be made at least 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid charges.
- The DoubleTree is conveniently located steps from St. Patrick subway station, as well as the TMU/Dundas station subway station (15 min walk).
- The DoubleTree has a pool, fitness centre and complimentary Wi-Fi.
- Our Conference will be held in the Toronto Ballroom on the 2nd floor.
Expense Form / Travel
LiRN will cover the hotel expenses for 1 person from each Association if travelling from outside Toronto (50 km radius). If not staying at the hotel, mileage expenses can still be reimbursed for 1 person from each association (even if under the 50 km radius). Refer to the link Expense Report Instructions for the LwL Conference for more information.
Deadline to submit the form and receipts for reimbursement is Nov. 23, 2026. Reimbursement will be provided by ETF only this year. Please see instructions for more information.
Map of Area
