News from Newfoundland & Labrador

Submitted by Louise McGillis

PUBLIC LIBRARIES
http://www.nlpl.ca/

The Corner Brook Public Library has a new city librarian. Her name is Melissa Feaver, she is a recent graduate of Dalhousie’s School of Information Management. She takes up her new duties on November 17.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Woodland Primary School in Grand Falls-Windsor was awarded one of ten grants from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation. The grants, which provide up to $160,000 worth of books, are awarded to schools which can demonstrate obvious need.

Woodland was announced as one of the grant recipients in May and received their first shipment of books this month. The books will replace a collection of old and worn material. Congratulations to teacher librarian Tara Humber and the rest of the staff who helped make this possible.

ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Memorial University
http://www.library.mun.ca
 
The Queen Elizabeth II Library

The First Space Gallery is currently hosting “Burlesque” a mixed media exhibit by Janis Coombs, Alumni Printmaker-in-Residence, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. Thanks go out to Ms. Coombs, the Library Administration, the First Space Gallery Committee and all those involved in putting the show together. The exhibit runs from September 5 – December 17 and can be viewed any time during building hours.
 
The Queen Elizabeth II Library recently hosted “Wayzgoose 2008: A Celebration of Books and Printing” a half day event co-sponsored by the Book Arts Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and by the Faculty of Arts, Memorial University. The event featured two sessions: the first a talk by poet and printer Crispin Elsted on the private press movement of the 19th and 20th centuries; the second marked the launch of a new online exhibit featuring works produced by the Gauntlet Press of Richard Outram and Barbara Howard. The second session featured talks by poet and scholar Amanda Jernigan on the history of the Gauntlet Press, as well as Humanities Librarian Martin Howley on special collections at Memorial and the significance of the Gauntlet Press Emblems.

CONFERENCES

Your Library – Make Your Move
Contributed by Christine Doody

This year marked the first conference for library staff in Newfoundland and Labrador. On October 14, paraprofessionals from all over the province congregated at the McMann Centre of Memorial University to attend “Your Library – Make Your Move. This event was focused specifically on Library staff and organized by library staff. The group was diverse, with both the public and academic sectors well represented. Presentations included: Travels of a Book, Developing Your Professional Portfolio, Gizmos and Gadgets, and Challenges of Change.  
 
There was a panel discussion featuring Librarians from various Libraries answering questions from staff on topics such as: changes in staff, professional development, communication, and promotion issues.  

Consensus was that such a conference was long overdue and welcomed.
 
There were over 80 attendants and based on the comments received, the participants were really pleased with the event.