2022-2023 APLA membership drive posterThe APLA membership drive is on! An association is only as strong as its membership, and we need YOU to join us in our efforts to promote library interests and support colleagues throughout Atlantic Canada. Do you have colleagues who haven’t joined us yet? Now’s the time to spread the word and help recruit new members to amplify our voice!

Join or renew your membership between June 2022 – June 2023 and your name will be entered in a draw for a great prize package.

The APLA Merit Award honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to library services in the Atlantic Provinces. Please consider nominating a deserving colleague who inspires you. Some of the contributions that might be considered in selecting a person for this award are:

  • leadership in library associations at the local, regional and provincial levels,
  • contributions to the development, application and utilization of library services and library systems
  • significant contribution to library literature.

The APLA Merit Award is presented during the Annual Conference.

A list of the past recipients of the APLA Merit Award may be found on the APLA website, https://www.apla.ca/funding-awards/apla-merit-award/.

Nominations, including documentation of the nominee’s achievements and letters of support, should be submitted by March 31 to the APLA Past-President, past-president@apla.ca

PDF of this statement

The Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) acknowledges there is a long history of racism against people of colour, Black people, and, particularly, Indigenous people in Canada. This history is present in all public institutions, including libraries, across the country. The effects of colonialism, slavery, the building of the reserve system for Indigenous people, the residential schools project, the Sixties Scoop: these atrocities, and many other actions, have manifested in the significant socioeconomic disparities present today.

APLA recognizes that library services have not been made available equitably and collections have not been as inclusive of the voices of Black people, people of colour, and Indigenous people, as they should have been, both historically and presently. We believe that representation matters. We recognize that public institutions such as libraries were built within a colonial lens, with only one set of voices at the table, therefore, only represent a portion of the populations libraries are meant to serve. Libraries are meant to be wholly democratic institutions, but for many, they are not, and despite the growing number of progressive library initiatives, as well as community outreach programs which reach populations who are exposed to vulnerability and oppression, we need to continue transforming library services, collections & acquisitions, as well as the bureaucratic structure of libraries.

APLA commits to listening carefully and respectfully to all people who experience oppression, and to learning how libraries can be truly open, diverse, democratic, and safe from racist and discriminatory behavior.

APLA also commits to working to ensure that neither racism nor discrimination taint libraries today or in the future. To do this, we start by fully acknowledging the historical wrongs libraries have reflected and acquiesced to with their inaction.

APLA’s mandate is to promote library and information service throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In recognition of the historical inequity in serving people of colour, Black people, and Indigenous people, APLA is committing to change by:

  1. Ensuring APLA adopts an intercultural lens when creating its board and programmes
  2. Adding a special focus on intercultural equity, diversity and inclusion, and properly compensating experts from whom APLA learns
  3. Promoting and encouraging the reconceptualizing of the terms on which libraries have historically been framed, by exploring how different worldviews celebrate reading, learning, storytelling, and community building
  4. Creating a channel to hear from community members and libraries in the provinces we serve to hear how APLA can better support anti-racism efforts.
  5. Supporting libraries as they carry out their missions and review their practices in a multicultural context.

APLA thanks you for joining us on this journey.

Anti-Racism Resources

APLA’s Information Literacy Interest Group invites you to attend the Virtual Info Lit Drop-in Learning Space. This is an opportunity for those interested in information literacy instruction and practices to meet others with varied instruction experience to connect and share pedagogies, activities, and techniques.

The session will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:30am-12:30pm (ADT). Feel free to bring your lunch!

The theme for this drop-in session is What I Learned. We will be sharing stories about mistakes we made while teaching, and what we learned from them that has improved or will improve our instruction. We will also seek constructive feedback from fellow participants. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable sharing, and if you just want to listen to other participants’ stories, that is fine, too. This session is meant to be a safe space with the goal of encouraging and empowering fellow information professionals in their teaching journey.

You do not have to be currently employed as an information professional to participate in this session, nor does your teaching experience that you would like to share have to be from information literacy instruction sessions. All teaching  experience is relevant, as it shapes individuals as educators. Students are welcome to participate!

Please register using the form below:

https://forms.gle/ACDEc9HWyzQRqaBA6

PDF of this Statement

The Atlantic Provinces Library Association adds its voice to the global outpouring of support for the people of Ukraine. As mentioned in the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ (CFLA) statement, over 1.3 million Canadians have Ukrainian roots, and many within the Canadian library community have friends and family members still living in the region. The Atlantic Provinces are home to approximately 15,000 people with Ukrainian heritage.

The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has highlighted the unique contributions librarians offer societies. It has also underlined the dangers our professional colleagues are facing. These are illustrated in Ukrainian Library Association (ULA) President Oksana Brui’s letter to the world’s library community as well as the ULA’s appeal to the International Federation of Library Associations.

We join the CFLA and other associations, on a national and international level, in applauding our Ukrainian colleagues’ dedication to the vital roles that libraries, archives, and digital media play in ensuring information access, countering misinformation, providing social supports, and protecting intellectual freedom. We also join these associations in expressing our concern for the security and well-being of these same professional colleagues.

As a regional library association, we echo the CFLA’s position to assist in any way we can.

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Hello,

APLA is now accepting applications for the Carin Alma E. Somers Scholarship. If you are a student who could use financial assistance, or if you know a deserving student, please take a look at the criteria below:

Carin Alma E. Somers Scholarship

The Carin Alma E. Somers Scholarship Trust

The Atlantic Provinces Library Association administers the Carin Somers Scholarship Trust. The trust provides an annual scholarship, valued at approximately $1,000, in her name to assist a Canadian citizen who is an Atlantic Provinces resident needing financial assistance to undertake or complete the academic requirements leading to a degree in Library and Information Science. Selection of the recipient will be recommended by a committee of the four Provincial Vice Presidents and the President-Elect to the Executive Committee. The successful applicant will have been accepted in a School of Graduate Studies as a candidate for a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies accredited by the American Library Association. The award will normally be announced at the Annual Atlantic Provinces Library Association Spring Conference.

Carin Alma E. Somers 1934-1990

Carin Alma E. Somers was the Provincial Librarian for Nova Scotia from 1974 to 1987. Her working career as a librarian started in 1958 when she went to work at what was then the Halifax Memorial Library. She worked there both before and after going to library school at the University of Toronto. Carin became Chief Librarian of the Halifax County Regional Library in 1967 and oversaw the rapid growth of that region. In 1973, she was appointed Supervisor of Public Libraries (NS Provincial Library) and in 1974, Provincial Librarian. Carin was always a tireless supporter of public service, libraries and both CLA and APLA. During her time as Provincial Librarian, 100% of the population of Nova Scotia became served by public libraries. She was president of APLA, a second vice president of CLA, a guest lecturer at the Dalhousie School of Library and Information Services and a frequent speaker at trustees meetings. In 1988, APLA honoured Carin with its Merit Award. Carin died in 1990. The terms the trust established by her family, are a demonstration of her interest in people and in the profession which she chose. ( from the APLA Bulletin, May/June, 1990 and Sept./Oct. 1996).

Nominations should be submitted by March 31 to:

VP, President Elect

Cate Carlyle (she/her)

Mount Saint Vincent University

President-elect@apla.ca

_______

 

Bonjour,

L’APLA accepte maintenant des applications pour la Bourse Carin Alma E. Somers. Si vous êtes un étudiant ou une étudiante qui pourrait bénéficier de l’assistance financière, ou si vous connaissez quelqu’un qui mériterait cette bourse, veuillez svp examiner les critères ci-dessous.

La Bourse Carin Alma E. Somers

L’APLA gère la Bourse d’études postsecondaires Carin Alma E. Somers. Chaque année, une bourse en son nom est distribuée afin d’aider un citoyen ou une citoyenne canadien(ne) qui réside dans une des provinces de l’Atlantique et qui a besoin d’aide financière pour entreprendre ou terminer la maîtrise en bibliothéconomie. Le boursier ou la boursière est accepté(e) au programme de la maîtrise en bibliothéconomie dans une institution postsecondaire accréditée par l’Association américaine des bibliothèques (American Library Association). Les critères de la bourse limitent la participation aux résidant(e)s des Provinces de l’Atlantique. La bourse est offerte sur une base compétitive et les besoins financiers sont considérés. Le nom du gagnant ou de la gagnante sera annoncé à la réunion générale annuelle tenue lors du congrès annuel de la APLA. La sélection se fera à partir d’un comité composé de quatre vice-président(es) provinciaux et du vice-président responsable des comités de l’exécutif. Les demandes, avec documents d’appui, doivent être soumises d’ici le 31 mars et envoyées à l’adresse ci-dessous.

Carin Alma E. Somers 1934-1990

Carin Alma E. Somers était Bibliothécaire provinciale en Nouvelle-Écosse de 1974 à 1987. Sa carrière en tant que bibliothécaire débutait en 1958 quand elle travailla à  Halifax Memorial Library. Elle y œuvra avant et après s’être rendue à l’école de bibliothéconomie à l’Université de Toronto. Carin devint Bibliothécaire en chef de  Halifax County Regional Library en 1967 et a vu une croissance importante dans cette région. En 1973, elle fut nommée Superviseure des bibliothèques publiques (Bibliothèque provinciale de la N.-É.) et en 1974, Bibliothécaire provinciale. Carin a toujours appuyé le service public, les bibliothèques, l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA), et l’APLA. En tant que bibliothécaire provinciale, 100% de la population néo-écossaise s’est vu servie par les bibliothèques publiques. Elle a été présidente de l’APLA, une deuxième vice-présidente de CLA, une chargée de cours à  Dalhousie School of Library and Information Services et une conférencière à plusieurs réunions de commissions. En 1988, l’APLA a souligné le travail de Carin en lui offrant son Prix de mérite. Carin est décédée en 1990. Les critères du fonds établis par sa famille sont une preuve de son intérêt auprès des personnes et de la profession qu’elle a choisie. (tiré du APLA Bulletin, May/June, 1990 et Sept./Oct. 1996)

VP, President Elect

Cate Carlyle (she/her)

Mount Saint Vincent University

President-elect@apla.ca

First Timer’s Conference Grant

Are you an APLA member and haven’t attended an APLA Conference? APLA offers a grant for a first time attendee and this year’s conference will be held in Virtual Prince Edward Island (https://conference.apla.ca).

To be eligible for the First Timer’s Conference Grant, an applicant must be a personal member of APLA, residing in Atlantic Canada, and planning to attend their first APLA annual conference. Grants are allocated, consistent with general APLA guidelines, to help meet conference related expenses. If more applications are received than can be met by the fund, money will be awarded by drawing from the names of all eligible applicants.

Recipients will be expected to write a short report, for the Executive and the APLA Bulletin, summarizing their conference experience.

Grants are allocated, consistent with general APLA guidelines, to help meet conference related expenses. 

Please note that grant amounts vary every year and are dependent upon available funds. 

How to apply:

Please include your name, business address, preferred contact information (e.g., e-mail, telephone, fax), as well as estimated costs associated with conference attendance (e.g., registration), and sign and date the document. Please note that your signature indicates full knowledge of, and compliance with, all eligibility requirements. Submissions must be received by March 31.

Send complete applications electronically c/o:

Cate Carlyle
(she/her)
Vice-President/President Elect, 2021-2022
Atlantic Provinces Library Association
president-elect@apla.ca

 

The APLA Merit Award honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to library services in the Atlantic Provinces. Please consider nominating a deserving colleague who inspires you. Some of the contributions that might be considered in selecting a person for this award are:

  • leadership in library associations at the local, regional and provincial levels,
  • contributions to the development, application and utilization of library services and library systems
  • significant contribution to library literature.

The APLA Merit Award is presented during the Annual Conference. 

A list of the past recipients of the APLA Merit Award may be found on the APLA website, https://www.apla.ca/funding-awards/apla-merit-award/.

Nominations, including documentation of the nominee’s achievements and letters of support, should be submitted by March 31 to the APLA Past-President, past-president@apla.ca