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President’s Message
Jerrilyn Schembri
Warmest Seasons Greetings to BC’s Library Trustees,
Is anyone else just a little shocked that it is December already? For me it has been over 6 months since I took over as President of BCLTA and here it is December already. This is the time of year when many of us take time out of our busy schedules to spend the holidays with our loved ones, reflect on the year’s activities, and look towards the New Year.
2017 has been busy for BCLTA. At our AGM and conference this spring we elected several new board members, passed the Resolution on the Rights of Transgender, Gender Variants and Two-Spirited People, we talked about trustee issues, especially advocacy and influence, and we heard from some very inspirational new residents of Canada. Spending time with all of you, members and supporters, inspires our work!
Since the AGM and conference the board and staff have been diligently working on numerous initiatives to meet the needs of our trustees province wide. These initiatives include a website redevelopment, Bulletin improvements, a TOP Rethink / Refresh, a Beyond Hope workshop, and an improved approach to the conference and trustee roundtables. We have been advocating for our membership with our new provincial government (check out the Advocacy section of the BCLTA website); attended UBCM and heard so many great things from local government representatives about the important role of public libraries in community social and economic development; and we have met with Minister Fleming as well as having regular meetings with Ministry of Education and Libraries Branch staff. Most importantly we are working on all of this with our valued library partners, the BC Library Association, the Association of BC Public Library Directors, and the BC Libraries Cooperative. As well the Libraries Branch has been a key supporter for the ongoing delivery of the Trustee Orientation Program, our conference, and for strengthening the development and delivery of trustee and board development.
I would like to also like to take this opportunity to thank BCLTA’s unsung heroes, our staff. First is our fabulous Executive Director Babs Kelly. Babs is such a gift to this organization and it is her expertise that ensures everything continues to run smoothly. Along side of Babs is the amazing Jan Thomas who has been working as our Administrative Assistant to ensure BCLTA’s success for many years. These two women do such great work … thank you Babs and Jan.
And in conclusion, whether you celebrate this season or not, it seems to act as a magnifying glass highlighting things in our lives. From the BCLTA board and staff I hope the things that are magnified in your life this season are gratitude, goodwill, hope, and love.
BCLTA President Jerrilyn Schembri and BC
BCSTA – BCLTA Letter of Understanding
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Your Libraries and Your StoriesReaders tell us that the “Your Libraries” section is important for making connections across the province and for inspiring or affirming their own board and library director work. A huge thank you to those who contributed to this issue either with submissions about their library or by pointing to stories, news items and resource links. Send us stories about your board and your library to execdir@bclta.ca
Invermere Public Library: A Community Gathering Place Submitted by Helen Kipp, Invermere Public Library board chairperson
Representing the future of libraries, brothers Okilani and Cassius Cowles joined in cutting the ribbon to officially open the new home of the Invermere Public Library which is located inside of the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere, BC. The centre features a multi-use community hall, a spacious lobby, the municipal library, and a public meeting area that can be used for a variety of activities. Located between the Rockies and the Purcell mountain ranges, the library space is surrounded by windows which enhance the view in all directions. The new library facility will continue to serve patrons throughout the Columbia Valley. Interior furnishings and shelves for the library were purchased with generous donations from community members. The move to the new location was a true community effort that included a group of more than 20 volunteers who moved the books from the old location to the new one in just over five hours. The Invermere Public Library will continue to be the place where our community gathers in the years to come. The official ribbon cutters for the grand opening of the new Invermere Public Library that was held on Sept. 20th, 2017 are (left to right) Virginia Walker (representing library staff), Oki and Cassius Cowles (representing library patrons of the future), Al Miller (representing the District of Invermere council), Hedi Trescher (representing the Camenzind Family Estate), and Helen Kipp (representing the library’s Board of Trustees). Looking on from the background are Gerry Wilkie and Wendy Booth, area directors from the Regional District of East Kootenay.
Well done Prince George Public Library!
West Vancouver Memorial Library Access 4 All Fair: Let the Library Take You Places September 19, 2017, In celebration of the library’s new accessibility ramp and included:
Fort St. John Public Library From the event calendar. Our Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA) is a fun group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, queer, or questioning youths in Grades 7 through 12. Friends, family and straight allies are welcome! We meet the first Thursday of every month for fun activities like cosplay, movies & munchies night, gaymer nights, maker & tech, crafting, and more! Join our QSA @ FSJPL facebook group to find out what we’re doing this month! Vancouver Public Library This item is from 2016, but as board discussions regarding washrooms and signage continue across the province, it is worth pointing to again. “Vancouver Public Library Posts Signs Welcoming Transgender Patrons into Men’s and Women’s Washrooms”
Surrey Libraries Inclusive City Cafés And!
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Influence & Advocacy
CFLA-FCAB Statement on Québec Bill 62: An Act to foster adherence to State religious neutrality.
From the statement: …diversity and inclusion is a core value of libraries and central to our country’s identity. Libraries have a responsibility to contribute to a culture that recognizes diversity and fosters social inclusion.
BCLTA
We have updated the Advocacy section of the website and will continue to do so with your input and feedback. Updates include:
Next on our list is updating the Advocacy Toolkit. Let us know what worked for you and what you think needs to be different. Email Babs Kelly at execdir@bclta.ca.
Telling the Public Library Story Government consultation are one way for trustees and boards to spread the word about the value of public libraries and our shared priorities for ongoing public library development. Provincial government engagement opportunities can be found here. BCLTA encourages boards and trustees to contribute to the engagement process on BC Poverty Reduction and, as always, to make use of the BCLTA website Advocacy section for resources and ideas.
Presenting to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services Submitted by Kyla Epstein
On Sept 25th myself and my fellow VPL trustee, Carellin Brooks, presented to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (the Committee) about the importance of public libraries in BC. We shared with the Committee that public libraries are our communities’ only fee free centres for lifelong learning, for knowledge exchange, for cultural exchange, and for preserving our communities’ memories and history. We reminded them that regardless of whether we share these ideas through books, films, music, or through physical objects or digital platforms, public libraries ensure that everyone has access to information and culture and opportunities to create and share their knowledge and ideas. We also spoke about the importance of increasing provincial funding for libraries, the need to support broadband in rural communities, and the gap in the Library Act with respect to library services for, and with, First Nations communities. We drew their attention to resolutions B60 & C4 passed at the 2017 UBCM gathering and we did all this with support from the great BCLTA advocacy materials! When the Standing Committee’s report was released on November 15th we were thrilled to see recognition of BC’s libraries:
We also noted the number of folks, listed in Appendix A, from around the province who spoke to the Committee. It is an honour to be a part of the community of BC library trustees. Together we continue to work hard to ensure that all BC residents have access to public library services and the resources they need for lifelong learning.
How We Vote and Public Libraries And speaking of government engagement and libraries, it is gratifying to note that the government recognizes the role that public libraries play in citizen engagement. From the November 23rd media release “British Columbians asked to help shape referendum on electoral reform”, In the new year, more information and resources will be added to the site, including educational videos and graphics, while libraries will be provided with information kits to help engage British Columbians in advance of the fall 2018 referendum.
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Announcement! Teacher Regulation, Independent Schools, and Public Libraries Division, B.C. Ministry of EducationThe Ministry of Education has made some small organizational changes that have resulted in the division, that includes the Libraries Branch and reports into Acting ADM Paul Squires, being renamed ‘Teacher Regulation, Independent Schools, and Public Libraries’. This is a positive change and a gratifying acknowledgement of the role of public libraries, and the important work of trustees and staff, in BC communities. |
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