In 2009 Dr. Parent was appointed to The University of British Columbia as University Librarian after holding increasingly senior positions at the National Library of Canada and at Library and Archives Canada (LAC), culminating in her role as Assistant Deputy Minister for Documentary Heritage.
The 2009 winner of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) award for Distinguished Service to Research Librarianship, Dr. Parent is recognized nationally and internationally for her outstanding contributions to libraries and to the library profession.
The digital agenda, including the collection of electronic publications and archival records, the provision of new and efficient digital services, and converting analogue information to digital formats, is an enduring interest for Dr. Parent. While with Library and Archives Canada, she led activities to develop national standards and policies for managing digital material, and has made The University of British Columbia Library’s digital strategy a top priority.
Over her career, Dr. Parent has been involved with several international information associations including UNESCO, the International Publishers Association, the ISSN International Network, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and the Association of Research Libraries. She is a member of the Boards of the Council on Library and Information Resources and of the Center for Research Libraries, both based in the United States.
She has been actively involved in the governance of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for the past 14 years. Dr. Parent completed her two year term as President of the Federation in August 2013. Within IFLA, Dr. Parent has been a strong proponent of equitable access to information and promoting the diversity of voices in the world of information. She has made innumerable professional and political contacts with individuals and associations around the world, and continues to receive invitations to speak at diverse conferences and fora in many countries.
In June 2011, Dr. Parent was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for her role in promoting libraries and cultural heritage around the world