Jane Arnold (MLIS’08) Archivist at Cape Breton University, says there’s great joy in being recognized by her peers for her commitment to her profession. The recipient of the Dalhousie Library and Information Alumni Association’s (DLIAA) Outstanding Alumni Award for 2025 adds that it's also a reminder to provide the next generation of archivists, librarians and information professionals, with realistic expectations about their careers.

She explains that sometimes, "you don't have the resources to generally carry out your job that you're so passionate about. You must be persistent, and you have to be adaptable."

Arnold says this doesn’t diminish the significance of the profession, because the need for their skills is at a critical juncture. “It’s important to have information professionals help students understand credible sources, truth in a post-truth society, and how to navigate artificial intelligence.”

AI as it exists today didn’t exist when Arnold came to Halifax to study in 2006. A mature student, she knew it wasn’t going to be easy for her, her 10-month-old, or her husband who left his job to live here too. But the richness of the program, and the inspiration that she drew from the profession and the faculty, far exceeded any hardship.

With a background as a heritage professional, Arnold weighed the pros and cons of the various disciplines being taught in the program, but returning to Cape Breton Island was her priority.  

Since graduating and joining the Beaton Institute at Cape Breton University, she’s helped the organization adapt to broader expectations on accessibility of information. Digitizing their collections and building relationships with the communities on the island to see them as partners are a few of her successes. And she’s given back to the larger community of archivists.

As said in the presentation of the award, “A former, President, Vice-President, and Executive member of the Council of Nova Scotia Archives, Director and Chair of the Old Sydney Society’s Museum Committee, President of Heritage Cape Breton Connection and Chair of the Library and Cultural Resources Council at CBU, Arnold has dedicated herself to advancing the visibility and value of archival organizations across the province.”

With an enduring love for her occupation, Arnold wishes there were more positions for archivists. She adds, “I have a fierce love of the island and there's no end to the work. There's so much work to be done in terms of cultural preservation and transmission.”