From the President's desk
It is July already and APLA’s annual conference, held in June this year, is still fresh in my mind. APLA’s annual conference doesn’t just happen, but it is the result of the planning and hard work of a group of dedicated volunteers. I want to thank the APLA 2009 conference planning committee – specifically Debbie Costelo, Peter Webster, Carol Morris, Catherine Kelly, Elaine MacInnis, Sara Gillis, Lori McCay‐Peet, Christina Warren, Lou Duggan, Bill Slauenwhite, Denise Parrott, Beth Gerstenberger, Heather Gardner and Anne-Marie Richard – for hosting a first rate conference. The venue was lovely, the program was well balanced, the exhibits (thank you exhibitors!) provided the membership a great face-to-face opportunity with vendors, the meetings and social events allowed participants to renew old friendships and start new ones. They continue to provide additional content on the conference website - http://apla2009.ca and conference photos are up on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/39369694@N05/.
APLA ExecutiveThe annual conference also sees changes within your Executive. I’d like to extend my thanks to departing members of the APLA Executive for their work on behalf of the membership including: VP Membership Ruthmary Macpherson, VP New Brunswick Nadine Goguen, and Secretary Lynn Somers. We had an incredibly successful Grow a Library - http://www.apla.ca/grow - campaign supporting the Mojo Reading Room in the Harare Region in eastern Ethiopia. This is the second reading room that APLA has sponsored in conjunction with CODE. Much of that success can be attributed to our outgoing Past President Donna Bourne-Tyson and her committee. Thank you Donna for this and all of your many contributions to APLA. In addition, Donna’s work on the Nominations Committee allows me to introduce you to the newest members of the APLA Executive, please join me in welcoming Sarah Gladwell (VP / President Elect), Ann Smith (VP Membership), Sarah Kilfoil (VP New Brunswick), and Lori McCay-Peet (Secretary). Su Cleyle becomes our new Past President and she’s been a great role model. I intend to build on many of the initiatives she established during her presidency. Continuing in their APLA roles are Penny Logan (Treasurer), Darlene Beck (VP Nova Scotia), Louise McGillis (VP Newfoundland/Labrador), Dawn Hooper (VP Prince Edward Island), Ian Gibson (APLA Bulletin Co-Editor), Jane Duffy (APLA Bulletin Co-Editor), Kelli Wooshue (APLA Bulletin Advertising Editor), and Larry Tweed (Website Administrator). I would like to thank Peter Glenister for his continued work as APLA’s Financial Examiner and thank you to Lloyd Melanson for providing wise advice in fulfilling his role as APLA’s Parliamentarian at the 2009 OGM. The Executive works on your behalf and we welcome your comments and suggestions - updated contact information can be found on http://apla.ca/executive.
2010 Conference
If you attended the APLA 2009 Conference, you probably had a chance to chat with Terry Nikkel and his conference planning colleagues about APLA 2010. Start making plans to travel to St. John, New Brunswick to attend Riding The Tide: Adapting and Thriving in a Sea of Change / Aller avec la marée: s'adapter et s'épanouir dans une mer en changement. The conference has a website and you can follow the development of the conference by visiting http://www.apla2010.ca/.
The Benefits of Membership
The annual conference is a great membership benefit and provides incredible value for its cost. In the past year APLA’s provincial VPs hosted a number of Education Institute sessions for members in their provinces and combined those with a “meet and greet”. We’ll continue that initiative this year as well – stay tuned. If you reviewed APLA’s budget and the Treasurer’s Report this past year, you’ll note that we returned funds to the membership in a number of ways including: scholarships, awards, and grants. I would encourage all members to visit http://apla.ca/benefits and explore the funding opportunities that are available. As an association we continue to explore and expand our partnerships with local library associations to provide joint membership rates that benefit all members.
Initiatives
Start making your plans for hosting a game event at your library during the week of October 18-24. Louise McGillis, APLA-VP Newfoundland & Labrador, and Crystal Rose along with the other Provincial APLA VPs have done a tremendous job pulling together Games @ the Library – http://apla.ca/games. Every public library in Atlantic Canada will receive a copy of Scrabble and Pictureka courtesy of Hasboro Canada. There are idea, planning, and promotional materials available for download on the website. To find out how your library can get involved, ask your Provincial VPs - http://www.apla.ca/gamesinfo.Advocacy
At the 2009 OGM Part 2, the membership passed a unanimous motion regarding funding cuts to New Brunswick school libraries and school library positions. A letter has been sent to the New Brunswick Minister of Education on the membership’s behalf. I wonder if we are communicating the value of libraries to our elected officials, communities, and stakeholders? This issue overlaps 3 of 5 of our strategic goals – regional voice role, communication, and value of libraries. I’d welcome suggestions from the membership on how APLA might take on a more proactive role … submit your suggestions to http://apla.ca/advocacy.
Summertime
Late this summer VP/President Elect Sarah Gladwell and I will be attending the Partnership meeting in Toronto. Our association with the Partnership allows us to leverage a number of services including the Education Institute and the Partnership Job Board. Our own Jennifer Richard continues in her capacity as Editor of the Partnership Journal – providing members with a publishing venue for their work and a place for members to keep up to date with the profession. Enjoy her editorial in the most recent issue, this issue of the APLA Bulletin and have a great summer.
