News from Nova Scotia

 

                                                  

 

An inventory of all equipment is being done over the next couple of months. Each machine will be labeled and numbered with corresponding documentation detailing the machine and its software.

 

Equipment is being refurbished and replaced where needed on a branch by branch basis.

 

The Middleton Friends of the Library has purchased a new computer to replace the aging reference terminal in that branch. This will be a welcome addition to the technology available in that library.

     

 

Additional staff  have been hired through CAP Sustainability funding to do one-on-one computer tutorials. Middleton, Kingston, Berwick, Kentville and Wolfville will be offering tutorials until the end of March. Some of these branches had lists of 15 - 20 people waiting for the service. Most of those hired had worked in this field for the region in the summer or other CAP related terms.

 

The future of the CAP program remains uncertain. There continues to be a strong involvement across the province in the program. The various sites still operational are committed to the principles of the program and strive to keep their sites open.

     

Through the Provincial Library’s work with custom programming in our web catalogue there has been an increased use of subscription databases. These databases are listed to the right of the screen when a search is done in the catalogue, if these links are used the same search is done in that source. The report show that the use of these information sources has more than doubled.

 

The checkout slips and payment receipts generated by the automated system now includes a footer. Currently the message is about renewing items on-line, this message can be changed each month as needed.

 

The Provincial Library has been providing us with lots of reports that will assist us in the maintenance of our data and maintenance of records. Many departments have been involved in the processing of these reports, some of which will become monthly regulars.

 

• Since January, Kentville Library has offered “Knit One, Purl Two”, a suppertime knitting group for all levels of knitters.
• Regular scrabble events for all ages are ongoing at both the Middleton and Wolfville Libraries.
• The StoryTubes contest invited kids and teens to create on-line book reports via YouTube.
• The World Record Reading attempt in late January created enthusiasm at all libraries.
• Library Lounges (for teens) are being offered at several libraries and include Wii, movies, and games.
• The annual Library Sleepover in Wolfville to celebrate Family Literacy Day was fully booked again this year. 

A partnership with Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) enabled the program “Junior Naturalists’ Club” to take place at the Library in Middleton during February for kids in Grades 2-4. Employees of CARP helped participants become engaged in the natural world while inspiring scientific observation and fostering a love of books and reading. The same program will be held at the Annapolis Royal Library starting in late March.

 

Berwick Library invited the public to attend a book presentation and nature walk with authors Merritt Gibson and Soren Bondrup-Nielsen on February 28^th.   Their book Winter Nature was featured, with the illustrator and artist Twila Robar-DeCoste on hand as well. Thanks to Gaspereau Press for this event.

 

The continued support and generosity of the Friends of the Rosa M. Harvey Library in Middleton has resulted in several enhancements to the library. Two new armchairs for the teen area, an additional book bin and magazine rack, repainting of the program room, and the purchase of a new reference computer for the public are all wonderful additions!

 

Annapolis Royal Library staff is enjoying improvements to the desk area, thanks to Friends of the Annapolis Royal Library

 

It was necessary to close the Bridgetown Library for about a week and a half due to construction in the Town Hall building which affected the library area.  

 

 

 

Point of Reference™ is a new, free information service for community economic development (CED) organizations in areas served by the Cape Breton Regional Library. It is the result of collaboration between Cape Breton University and CBRL to provide quality reference and referral services to rural non-profit organizations.   It encourages CED workers to look to their local library for information to support their efforts. Branch library staff can provide local CED groups with access to information, databases and web resources available through the local library. If they can’t handle a query, they pass it on to Headquarters, and then if necessary the query is referred to the CBU Library’s business librarian. Point of Reference requests are filled and sent back to the branch library within 2 business days.

 

Laura Syms,  Business and Data Services Librarian at CBU who spearheaded this initiative, says “the primary objective…is to educate CED workers about the advantages of using quality external information sources and the need to take an evidence-informed approach. The second goal is to inform community libraries about the work of CED groups in their area, and create a culture that encourages public libraries to become engaged in the development of their local community, with library staff recognized as important social capital. We are very optimistic about Point of ReferenceÔ and believe it can make rural libraries change agents in their communities.”

 

The Cape Breton Regional Library is pleased to welcome five new staff members. Jeanne Matthews, Joy Pearo and Kathleen Ley will share time at our Sydney Mines branch, replacing Judy DiPersio who has retired, and Barb MacLean who has joined our Headquarters staff on the Interlibrary Loans desk. Librarians Nicholas Warren and Erin Phillips have joined the McConnell Library in Sydney. Erin will take over the reins as Branch Supervisor for our Victoria County branches, and Nicholas will work out of McConnell.

 

 

CBRL is in the preparation stages of a new initiative to provide young families with an easy way to choose books for their preschoolers. Modeled after the “Read, Talk, Sing” program of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, the “Stories to Share” program will provide a list of 100 terrific books recommended by library staff to give children a head start before school. The books themselves can be borrowed five at a time in bright orange book bags, so the families can work their way through the checklist. They will be available through any library branch or bookmobile.   We hope to have the bags ready soon!

 

 

 

 

We had so much fun last year with the “Stamped Out” play that McConnell Library will be putting on another great murder mystery as a fundraiser this April. “Erased Out” is another original script by Greg and Kristen Woodford and directed by Brian Gallivan from Cape Breton University. Five of our library staff will make up a portion of the cast of characters from classic novels and fairy tales. The play will run Saturday and Sunday nights over three weekends starting the Saturday after Easter. Tickets are now available.

 

Cumberland Regional Library
http://crl.library.ns.ca/
Submitted by Denise Corey

Programming News

In early December, our popular early literacy CART program (Children and Adults Reading Together) was concluded. The program enhances the home literacy environment of preschool children and their caregiver and is designed as a continuous program, assessed at the beginning and end, to gauge how well the children are doing. The program was held in five of our branches and during the course of the 8 weeks 30 children and their parents attended and they checked out over 1,000 books. The program was funded by a grant from the Family Literacy Endowment Fund.

In January, all of our branches took part in Family Literacy Day to beat the world record. We had 109 people to the world record attempt total with 63 people taking part in our Springhill branch.

March Break @ your Library featured programming that was offered at all 7 of our branches with 294 children taking part across the county. The various libraries offered everything from movie and games days, to traditional story times, to sledding, and origami.

We offered a second round of “Read Your Fines Away” at all of our branches during the Freedom to Read Week. Targeted at those in grades 7-12, “Read Your Fines Away” encourages teens to read for a ½ hour to have the fines on their account forgiven. For many, this is an opportunity to regain borrowing privileges with the library.

Staffing News

Sally Krueger began at the Amherst branch as a Library Clerk in February. She comes to us with years of experience from both public and college libraries in Alberta.
 

On March 13^th, a celebration was held at ECRL headquarters to honor and thank four individuals who recently retired from the ECRL Board. Those who were acknowledged included former Chair of the Library Board, Mr. Joe Walsh from Canso, former Treasurer Mr. Art Carter from Mulgrave, former Vice-Chair Mr.Ned MacDonald from Inverness and Mr. Clair Rankin from St. Peter’s . Each was presented with a token of appreciation by current Board Chair Ms Shirley McNamara who acknowledged the dedication of time and energy that they have brought to the cause of public libraries in general, and the workings of the Eastern Counties Regional Library Board in particular. Also on hand for the ceremony were Marney Simmons, Mayor of Mulgrave; Petra Mauerhoff, CEO/Chief Librarian; Susan Mallette, Board member representing Inverness County, and members of ECRL headquarters staff.
 

 

The library reintroduced Library Card Month in March of this year. After a 1-year hiatus, the library decided to revisit the campaign by investing in local partnerships and creating heightened awareness in the communities. Chief Librarian Petra Mauerhoff thought the timing was right for the campaign. “With daily financial struggles facing our communities, one bright spot in many of our communities continues to be the local public library.” Mauerhoff adds, “The past has shown us that during times of economic uncertainty, people turn to their libraries so the campaign allowed us the time to focus on the benefits of being a member”. Library staff obtained donations of newspaper subscriptions from The Guysborough Journal, The Inverness Oran, The Strait Area Reporter, and the Cape Breton Post which will be offered as draw prizes along with gift certificates donated by local grocery and retail stores. A grand prize valued at $190 was donated by Dundee Resort and Golf Club of a 1-night accommodation.

 

Partnership with YMCA 

 

Another partnership that has grown at the library is with the YMCA Port Hawkesbury. During the month of February, library card users could walk the indoor track for free, while during the month of March, all library card users qualified to win a 1-month membership to the Y.   Stacey Clements, Director of Membership Services at the YMCA of Cape Breton Port Hawkesbury, is pleased to partner with the library in these unique initiatives, saying, "The YMCA believes in building spirit, mind and body and this partnership builds on this premise. The library can offer members the resource materials related to health and wellness." Further plans involve strengthening the partnership through involvement with the YMCA’s after school program .

 

 

As a result of a $10,000 grant from the Democracy 250 Legacy Fund, users of the Keshen Goodman Library in Clayton Park now have an outdoor space where they can enjoy the library. Until recently, the library had only one small bench outside. Thanks to the grant, five benches, two tables with seats, planters and trash receptacles have been purchased.

 

The Keshen Goodman library is a vital part of the community where people gather. Before the grant, the library didn’t have an outdoor area that the community could use in the same way. The new seating area has extended the reach of the library. This spring and summer, library users will be able to enjoy outdoor programming more comfortably. The Wi-Fi signal reaches outdoors, so people can bring their laptops and get their work done in the sunshine. Staff have already heard many positive comments from library users about the benches and the tables.

 

Diana Whalen, MLA for Halifax Clayton Park, applied for the grant for the library.

 

Thanks to another $10,000 grant from the Democracy 250 Legacy Fund, Halifax Public Libraries was able to purchase over 400 new materials.

 

The library purchased materials that help people understand government and contribute to an informed voting public. Subjects covered include: politics and government in Nova Scotia and Canada, citizenship, democratic theory, political systems, local government and human rights. The materials are at various reading levels so library users of all ages can benefit from the boost to the collection. The materials have gone to branches throughout Halifax Public Libraries and contain a special bookplate to commemorate the grant.

 

Howard Epstein, MLA for Halifax Chebucto, applied for the grant for the library.

  

 

Halifax Public Libraries invited teen wordsmiths to submit their work to the Word Up! Poetry and Spoken Word contest. Open to youth in grades 7-12, submissions could be in the form of poetry or spoken word. An electronic entry form on the library’s website allows for entries in different media, such as spoken word pieces recorded on MP3 or short videos. The entries will be judged in two categories: junior high (grades 7-9) and senior high (grades 10-12). The contest was held in tandem with a series of poetry and spoken word workshops offered throughout March and April for teens. Poets Sue Goyette and Jenni Blackmore and spoken word artists Shauntay Grant and Reed ‘iZrEAL’ Jones helped teens hone their craft.

All contest submissions will be posted at halifaxpubliclibraries.ca in May. The winners will be announced at the Teen Poetry and Spoken Word Awards Night on Friday, May 22, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Keshen Goodman Public Library. Prizes include a flip video camcorder, an IPod nano and mall gift cards.

 

The Sackville Public Library is proud to be the first branch in Halifax Public Libraries to pilot a Homework Help program. The program is funded by a grant from the Crime Prevention Action Fund and is co-ordinated by Beth Wood.

 

Last fall, Beth met with community groups, youth and parents in the community asking what services they would like from the Sackville Library. Through this outreach, a list of 20 recommendations was compiled. One suggestion she heard over and over again was, “We’d like a program to help our children with their homework.”

 

In November, the Homework Help program started. Ten children from junior high and elementary schools come regularly on Tuesday nights to receive help with homework. The local schools refer children who are in need of help. Children are paired with an adult or teen volunteer from the community.

 

“It is very rewarding to see youth who haven’t experienced school success working hard with their tutors and growing in confidence and competence,” says Beth.

 

 

May is Asian Heritage Month. This year, Halifax Public Libraries has partnered with the Halifax Regional Municipality to offer over 20 programs in celebration of Asian heritage. There are programs for library users of all ages. The very young can enjoy stories and puppets shows with an Asian theme while older kids can learn how to do origami or play the ancient Chinese game Weiqi. For teens, demonstrations on mehndi (henna body art) and sushi rolling will be offered. Persian dance, acupuncture and Japanese flower arranging are just a few of the programs offered for adults. For a complete list of programs offered during Asian Heritage Month, visit halifaxpubliclibraries.ca in May.

 

Small Communities - Big Ideas, a monthly public discussion series offers participants an opportunity to discuss the small community relevance of some big ideas, with each discussion focusing on a small aspect of a larger issue.   Several times a year, participants meet at the Lunenburg Library to take the opportunity to discuss the small community relevance of some big ideas, with each discussion focusing on a small aspect of a larger issue.

 

This winter, discussion will focus on the topic of media and ethics. February’s session, the first in a three part series, featured Vernon Oickle, editor of the Bridgewater Bulletin and Progress Enterprise discussing Media and Ethics: Responsibilities and Roles in Your Local Community.   In March, Journalism Professor Bruce Wark illustrated how the routines of "balance" and "fairness" actually produce ahistorical, unfair reporting in Media and Ethics: The Pitfalls of Everyday Journalism. Cheryl Stenström, Chief Librarian of South Shore Public Libraries, is delighted Mr. Wark was available to lead a thought-provoking discussion on the issues of fairness and balance in the media.

 

The discussion series focuses on two roles the library plays in the community: to provide people with the means for free intellectual development and to offer a place where community members can come together in this pursuit, says Stenström.

 

South Shore Public Libraries began organizing the "Small Communities - Big Ideas" public discussion series last winter. Topics have included democracy, ecology, philosophy, technology and citizen engagement.

 

New and existing members of the South Shore Regional Library Board met February 7, 2009, to discuss several key issues that will lay the groundwork for a host of short- and long-term decisions that will shape the evolving direction of public library services on the South Shore.

 

Over the past two years, the Board has undertaken several planning and consultation exercises with various community stakeholder groups. The recent day-long meeting gave members the opportunity to explore its priorities in the context of long-term goals, as well as address short-term issues and priorities. On the table were topics such as services and funding, including an update on the work of the Provincial Library Funding Review Task Force.

 

"As publicly funded bodies, library boards must constantly ensure they act as good stewards of public funds while at the same time, meet current and future service demands," says Chief Librarian Cheryl Stenström. "Last year, staff, Board, Friends and volunteers participated in refreshing the organization's mission statement and choosing a name that better reflects what it does. The recent board development and planning session is a continuation of the kind of reflection needed to create a strong organization and the best library service for the residents of the South Shore."

 

The 16-member Library Board is led by Chair Marie Hogan Loker, and is comprised of six municipal representatives, two provincial appointees and eight community members. New representatives this year include provincial appointees David Brattston and Shelley Zwicker, Councillor Patrick Hirtle (Town of Bridgewater), Councillor Eric Hustvedt (Municipality of the District of Lunenburg), Councillor John McGee (Town of Lunenburg) and Councillor Randi Dickie (Region of Queens). South Shore Public Libraries provides services through three town libraries, one mobile library, Books by Mail and other special services.

 

South Shore Public Libraries celebrates reading, discovering, learning and sharing.

 

 

South Shore Public Libraries Chief Librarian Cheryl Stenström was selected as a mentor at the tenth Canadian Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute (NELI) in Emerald Lake, British Columbia, from February 26 - March 3, 2009.

 

Modeled on the intensive experiential training sessions developed in the business sector, the Institute's mission is to assist professional librarians to develop, strengthen, and exercise their leadership skills so that they may be better equipped to formulate, articulate, and achieve the future changes required by libraries into the 21st century. It includes group and individual exercises, as well as the opportunity to learn in conversation with mentors, who have been chosen for their own leadership skills, and who participate as volunteers. Approximately eight mentors from across the country are called upon to assist in facilitating, guiding and coaching the participants.

 

Library Board Chair Marie Hogan Loker feels the Institute's organizers made a wise choice in identifying Stenström as a mentor for the development workshop. "Cheryl is a qualified leader. Since receiving her Master’s of Library and Information Studies from

the University of British Columbia in 1997, she's been involved in the library community in a wide variety of ways. She's currently an elected member of the Canadian Library Association's Executive Council and on the Board of InformCanada."

 

In addition to being Chief Executive Officer of South Shore Public Libraries, Stenström also teaches in the Community Library Training Program, an online distance education program designed for staff, volunteers and boards of rural public libraries; and in the Executive Master’s of Library Science program at San José State University in California.

 

"The Library is fortunate to have Cheryl's professional leadership on a continuing basis. The Board and Staff are proud of Cheryl’s accomplishments and pleased that she is participating in this mentorship program," says Hogan Loker.

 

The Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute is made possible by the generous sponsorship of several corporations serving the library community, including EBSCO, SIRSIDynix, YBP, and Blackwells.

 

 

Public libraries can provide some much needed sunshine during the economic gloom and doom encircling the globe. A wide range of services from children’s programs to access to high-speed Internet, movies, books, magazines, music and newspapers make the library an attractive place to spend some time and save some money.

 

“History has shown that the deeper the recession, the more public libraries get used,” says Western Counties Regional Library Director Trudy Amirault.

 

Regional library chair Gary Archibald concurs: “It has been observed many times that in period of economic downturn people increasingly make use of their public library.”

 

 “Whether it be to borrow … a book, read newspapers or magazines, check out a DVD, use a computer for job hunting, complete an online application, make use of free wireless connections, or just escape the economic situation in a warm inviting location, public library branches are there for to all of us to use,” he says.

 

The statistics back this up. Program attendance is up 43 per cent for children and up 78 per cent for adults in 2008-2009 over the previous year. User sessions for computers at the Yarmouth branch alone for January 08 was 6,016 versus 12,145 for January 2009 – up more than 50 per cent. Regionally DVD circulation was 26,510 in 2007-08 from April through January versus 32,947 for the same 10 months in 2008-09. Overall circulation (all library materials) is up three per cent in January 2009 versus January 2008.

 

Many of the library clerks at the regional library’s 10 branches believe there has been a rise in library use, especially among people accessing the public computers and Internet. “I see more people come in to use the computer service and wireless connection,” says June Swift, library clerk for the Westport Branch Library on Brier Island. “I also have a student taking Sylvan (Learning) online through our wireless connection. This saves on Internet bills for the student.” She says more patrons are borrowing DVDs and requesting newly released books.

 

Pubnico Branch Library clerk Beatrice Adams puts it more simply: “Basically everything at the library is free.”  Adams says her patrons are beginning to promote library services among their peers to a greater extent, increasing public awareness of the many services available at the library.

 

Branches in Pubnico and Meteghan also offer extensive French collections.

“We have a great French collection for kids and the adult collection for French fiction is ongoing,” says Adams. “We have the newspapers the Chronicle Herald, the Vanguard and le Courrier (de la Nouvelle Écosse) that they can come in and sit at the tables and read.”

 

Programs are a big part of library services. At many of the branches, there are parent and baby reading and activity programs, craft programs for all ages, book clubs, game nights and specialty programs covering everything from tax returns to travel. Gone are the days when people are being asked to be quiet at the library.

“There is no longer the stigma of being shushed and silent in the library,” says Adams.

 

Library clerks know the province and have ready access to information on tourism, law, government agencies, schools and churches, she adds. Libraries are a community meeting place, says Suzanne Grear, the senior library clerk at the McKay Memorial Library in Shelburne. “We have meeting rooms for non profit groups.”

 

Both Shelley Smith with the Clark’s Harbour Branch Library and Heather Suttle of the Lillian Benham Library in Lockeport says there has been an increase in library usage, especially patrons using computers and borrowing DVDs. “Perhaps it’s the weather, or the economy, but folks seem delighted to find us,” says library clerk Sara Weiser of the Digby library.  “I think they are primarily drawn to the DVDs, but once we get them in the door we can show them a number of things that we can offer for free.”

Weiser’s co-worker Thelma Pulsifer believes her personal library use for materials such as books, movies and magazines saves her approximately $40 a week.

 

“We certainly encourage people to use the library as that is the reason we exist, namely, to provide the resources, to assist and to serve. In these times, people are rediscovering the value of their public library,” concludes Archibald.

 

 

Multiple branches of Western Counties Regional Library were part of the Guinness World Record Attempt for “Most Children Reading with an Adult, Multiple Locations.” The Family Literacy Day World Record Attempt was held across Canada at various locations on Jan. 23 and 24. The goal was to break the record of 78,791, set in the United States in 2006, by reading to a child for 30 minutes. Final results are not yet available, but an unofficial number of 104,000 were listed on the ABC Canada Web site.

 

“It was a great opportunity for families to read together,” says Joanne Head, coordinator of Children’s Services for Western Counties Regional Library. “And you can’t get any better than Robert Munsch. This program was for all ages and library staff and volunteers read Robert Munsch’s Munschworks 2 or read the stories from the collection.

Participating library branches included:

The world record attempt was tied to Family Literacy Day (FLD), an annual event promoted by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation that occurs on Jan. 27. It was also being coupled with Nova Scotia’s annual Read to Me! jamborees. Read to Me! is a provincial, hospital-based program developed to help families enrich their child’s early years with books and reading.

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick Jarvis brought in a variety of drums to the library and talked about each type and how some of them were made. He used the talking drum to introduce the storyteller who told an Anansi story (an African story) about how stories came to be told on Earth. Participants learned some basic drum beats and had fun drumming.

Cape Breton University Library is pleased to welcome new staff member, Ron Rooth. Ron , who graduated from Simon Fraser University, is replacing a librarian who is currently on leave.

If you’ve been using any of the three Learning Commons at the Killam Library recently you may have noticed large screens placed at the entrances. What’s on them? A color-coded map showing which workstations are available or in use at the South, North and Upper Commons. The display, called “LC @ a Glance,” updates every time someone logs on or off a computer, so all it takes is a quick scan of the screen to see what’s available and where. Printer status is also displayed and updated as necessary. Even better, LC @ a Glance is posted online so you can check to see how many computers are free before you even leave home. Works on your Blackberry too!

 

The creative genius behind this great new service is David Mifflen, Dalhousie Libraries Systems Administrator and technology entrepreneur. David created the software for LC @ a Glance and generously donated it to the Libraries.

 

The software, called PC Idle, is completely customizable and could be adapted for such things as usage statistics, reserving computers for special occasions, taking computers out of service, alerting managers to problems with individual computers, etc.

 

Students have been all over LC @ a Glance ever since the large screens were installed. Come to the Killam Learning Commons and check out it out for yourself, or view it from home on our website at:  pcidle.library.dal.ca/ (South LC), pcidle.library.dal.ca/pcidle/nlc.html (North LC), and pcidle.library.dal.ca/pcidle/ulc.html (Upper LC). 

 

We think it’s pretty cool and we hope you will too! 

 

 

The Dalhousie Libraries have appointed Tina Usmiani to the newly-created position of Communications Officer, effective January 5, 2009. Tina has worked in various capacities at the Killam Library for many years, including as the Russian subject specialist and on the reference desk in Special Collections. Her new duties include planning and implementing an annual PR campaign, managing the Libraries’ suite of News & Events webpages and blog, writing articles for the Dal News, editing and publishing Context, the Libraries’ biannual newsletter online and in print, and organizing and emceeing the CLCP Public Reading Series. 

 

Tina has established a PR Team with representatives from all four of the Dalhousie Libraries (Killam Memorial Library, Kellogg Health Sciences Library, Sexton Design & Technology Library, and Sir James Dunn Law Library), and is working with them on some exciting new initiatives. Stay tuned for updates!

 

University Librarian Donna Bourne-Tyson is pleased to announce that there is a new Archivist in the Mount Archives.  Roger Gillis comes to the Mount with a Masters of Arts in history from UNB, and a wealth of experience gained while working as the Web Administrator at the UNB Electronic Text Centre in the Harriet Irving Library, as Archival Registrar at the MacNaught History Centre and Archives in Summerside, and as a records manager with the College of Registered Nurses of NS.  The Mount Archives open hours will be 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. each week day and Roger invites everyone to drop by to explore our archival collections.  “The archival resources which are unique to an institution are becoming more important to students and faculty for a variety of study and research purposes.  It is our intention to create digital archival collections to provide convenient and permanent access to these vital sources of information”, notes Collections and Archives Librarian Terry Paris.  “Roger’s expertise in the creation of electronic texts and digital archives will help us to achieve our goals using national best practices”.  Roger will also be assisting with the Mount’s digital records management initiative currently under way.

 

 

We have just finished our second LibQUAL survey. Once again we were pleased with the response from the Saint Mary’s community, with about 1,200 students, faculty and staff filling out the questionnaire and providing us with comments which will go a long way toward shaping our future services, resources and space.

Work continues on this new 3-storey global commons/academic/administrative complex adjacent to the library. As mentioned in earlier postings, this will also dictate a reorientation of the current library. Our entrance and lobby will no longer (as of this September) be our entrance and lobby. Naturally, we are busy planning how to best accommodate these changes to public and staff space.

 

In what has become an annual tradition, we joined with the other Novanet libraries in the Food For Fines campaign. The local food bank was happy to receive these contributions to their valuable work. We also participated in the Saint Mary’s University Sustainability Week. A sizeable, impressive display was created to highlight the many different “green” initiatives which the Library has undertaken over the years.

 

Information Literacy librarian Heather Sanderson wrote an article entitled The Library: Partnering with Faculty for Students’ Academic Literacy for the Saint Mary’s publication, Teaching and Learning.  Hansel Cook, University Archivist, will present the workshop Libraries During Wartime, which willlook at various case studies to determine why and how libraries are targeted during times of conflict, at the annual conference of the Canadian Library Association. Information Systems librarian Peter Webster is busy as program chair of the upcoming APLA annual conference. Ron Houlihan, Promotional Services Librarian, is nearing completion of his 2-year position as president of the Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union.