Inside The Alberta Library
At The Alberta Library’s board meeting in November I was asked to say a few words about my vision for the future of the organization. I would like to share some of those comments with the library community.
As everyone knows, these are the worst of times to be part of a publicly funded organization. The economic downturn, reduced budgets and pessimistic financial forecasts combine to make us uncertain about the future.
However, history has shown us that these can also be the best of times to be part of a collective solution – like a province-wide consortium that provides opportunities for collaborative problem-solving.
Part of what makes me so confident about our future is that The Alberta Library was born and grew out of times not unlike these. The many people who came together to create the organization took a leap of faith. They also answered government’s challenge to work differently in the face of reduced budgets by forming an organization that maximized their collective energy, resources and power.
Today, libraries have a provincial population that needs us more than ever and relies on us for quality services for families and communities. We have more and more people involved in continuing education that have huge needs that require sophisticated solutions. We have a government that has turned its eye to publicly funded library services. And government is more ready now than ever to hear how we can help them deliver on their promise for the future.
I know that this will not be easy. But we must be bold. We must decide on the key ideas that will capture the imaginations of our communities. This will be our collaborative work over the next few months, as we chart our course for the future.
The Alberta Library is an amazing opportunity. It is an organization that is needed now more than ever. Its future will be determined by its members. Working together, we will take the organization to the next level.
Thank you for your support during these interesting and important times. I look forward to meeting with many of you over the next few months. In the meantime, please contact me with your observations and suggestions, or if you would simply like to talk about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Have a wonderful holiday season, and good wishes for 2010.
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Bow Valley College Library Q & A
Colleen McPhee ofshares what’s new at her library.
Bow Valley College Library
What is your library’s biggest current challenge?
One of the biggest challenges is continually finding new and engaging ways to promote all the library resources and information services that are currently available to BVC’s learners, staff, and faculty. BVC’s community is very diverse in terms of their information needs, literacy skills, and location; trying to ensure each user is aware of what is available and of value to their specific information needs and level is a challenge. As well, trying to create the notion of seamless information access for our library users, while instilling confidence in their ability to find and use information is also a challenge.
What area is changing the fastest in your library?
There is constant change in every area of the library! Technology is continuously changing and we are constantly trying to keep up with the latest and greatest. Investigating and utilizing these technologies to serve our distance learning community seems to change constantly as well.
The learners themselves, and their information needs, continue to change in response to the new programs being offered at Bow Valley College.
The physical space is currently under constant change; the College as a whole is undergoing a major renovation and expansion project. It has been exciting to see the progress made and how the learners’ react as new student space is opened up. The library moved into part of its new space in July 2008 and we expect to have the entire library space completed by 2011.
What idea are you most proud of over the last five years?
I am most proud that in just over three years, library and information services have been rejuvenated at Bow Valley College. We’ve moved into a new space and opened up a second offsite Library and Learning Commons. We have a growing and diverse collection of library materials that are current, relevant, and up-to-date. We have a searchable online library catalog…this was a big deal! AND online databases! Library instruction is slowly increasing. Interlibrary loan has continued to rise in popularity. Learner Technology Support is heavily used by the learners. We have initiated several very well-received extracurricular clubs for learners which focus on language and literacy skills. The Testing Centre is thriving! I wonder what the next 3 years will bring!
Last, but not least, I’m proud of the team I am fortunate enough to work with. The Library and Learning Commons staff are dedicated to the learners, staff, and faculty, always ensuring they provide excellent service. They are creative and eager to continuously learn. But I think I am most impressed by how patient and how easily they have adapted through all these changes as library services have been created and implemented and through all the construction.
Where do you see the most opportunity for innovation over the next decade?
I think innovation opportunities will be found in the delivery of information services and learner technology support to our distance learners and our offsite campuses. I want to ensure that all learners, staff, and faculty have access to the same services regardless of their location.
How does your library stay in touch with your clients/library users?
The circulation staff works very closely with our library users, interacting with them on a daily basis, whether it be a small circulation transaction, troubleshooting an issue with a computer, facilitating one of our extracurricular ‘clubs’ we offer in the library, or simply providing the learner with directions to somewhere in the college. We also use the usual methods such as our webpage, a Library and Learning Commons newsletter, orientations, presentations, monthly displays, library instruction, and we recently began the “Roaming Library” where one of the staff goes to a specific program with library materials relevant to that program. The “Roaming Library” has been well-received by both learners and staff!
Books and beyond goes gold!
The Advertising and Design Club of Canada recently recognized the Books and beyond campaign with a number of awards.
Books and beyond received gold for top public service TV campaign, silver for the Kama Sutra, Scrapbooking and Mt. Everest spots and a merit award for overall multi-media campaign.
The Advertising and Design Club of Canada award show, Directions, is considered the leading award show in the country. Earlier this year the campaign was awarded a bronze International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions 2009 Marketing Award.
The Books and beyond campaign, which includes TV, radio and online ads, was launched not only to promote the wealth of resources available at Alberta’s libraries but also to break existing stereotypes with a not-so-serious dose of irony.
“We’re pleased with the recognition for the campaign, but even more pleased that we’re able to connect with people in a way that surprises them and makes them laugh,” said Alberta Public Library Director Karla Palichuk. “One of the challenges of getting our message out is simply getting people’s attention. When people are laughing, they’re engaged with the message.”
TAL Fall board meeting highlights
The Alberta Library’s November Board of Directors meeting in Edmonton featured a look ahead, small group discussion on key issues, and a presentation on the 2010 budget.
The day began with CEO Maureen Woods providing comments on her vision for the future of the organization (see Maureen’s column above). Maureen emphasized potential opportunities and her commitment to work with members to find solutions.
Board members spent some time in small group discussion focused on the areas of licensing and training. The discussion focused on key questions, such as how could licensing services be changed, adjusted or expanded to better meet the needs of Albertans? and what are the pressing training needs in your library?
Member feedback will help guide The Alberta Library’s response to the Alberta Government report, Framework for the Future: Positioning Alberta Libraries for the 21st Century. Feedback will also inform discussion around the next TAL strategic plan.
Ernie Ingles, University of Alberta Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian, and Chair of the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library Committee, then provided an overview of the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library transition plan. Ernie noted that funding for the current fiscal year was reduced to $2.8 million, making it necessary for the University of Alberta to take on a stewardship role for the program.
TAL Secretary / Treasurer Mary-Jo Romaniuk tabled TAL’s 2010 Operating Budget. While 2009 was challenging for the organization, Mary-Jo noted that the budget presented by the Finance Committee was reasonably balanced and was prepared on the principles of equity and fairness for all members and protecting core programs. The budget was approved as presented.
The Alberta Library Member Service Principles were reviewed and approved. The Service Principles are an update of the 1999 Service Charter. As the implementation plan notes, adoption of the service principles is voluntary. It is about inspiring quality service, not about compliance. Each member library’s administration or governing board is encouraged to officially adopt the principles. Watch for more details in January’s TAL Tales.
Appointments: Bonnie Gray was appointed to the Executive Committee, representing the Province of Alberta. Debbie McGugan and Helga Kinnaird were appointed to the Governance Standing Committee. Julia Reinhart and Christine Sammon were appointed to the Nominations and Selections Committee.
Netspeed 2010 - be part of it!
Planning for Netspeed 2010 is already underway. The conference, which enables librarians, technical staff and trustees to explore new technologies in a connected world, is scheduled for October 20 – 22 in Edmonton.
Do you have a good idea for next year? Are you testing out a new technology? Let us know!
Proposals for conference and pre-conference sessions are welcome, as
are suggestions for speakers and topics. All submissions must be
received by February 5, 2010.
Session proposals should include:
* Session title.
* Brief abstract (max 250 words).
* Brief summary of speaker's experience with the topic.
* Contact information for all speakers.
Please e-mail session proposals and ideas by February 5, 2010 to netspeed@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca.
If you haven’t yet decided to go to Netspeed 2010, here are just a few of the things people said they liked about the conference this year.
“Speakers were INFOTAINMENT! Well spoken, knowledgeable, engaging. I enjoyed the learning.”
“The plenary addresses.”
“The opportunity to meet and mingle with other speakers and attendees
at events like the opening reception and pub night. The copyright
debate was also a high point.”
“The What Google Did Next session was excellent.”
“Two sessions in particular stuck out - CPL's session on digitizing
photos and postcards and the session on creating the Blackfoot Digital
Library. Both sessions had fantastic speakers and made good use of
PowerPoint.”
“Frank Work's presentation and the Neo Reference Session.”
“The sessions that I went to were all timely and well-organized. There
was plenty of variety and in some blocks I found it difficult to
decide!”
“Learning about cutting edge, new things that are immediately applicable to my work.”
Mark your calendar for October 2010, and watch for more information.
TAL Profile: Linda C. Cook, CEO of Edmonton Public Library
Linda C. Cook
What is your involvement with The Alberta Library?
I am proud to say that I was one of the original signatories in my former capacity as Director of the Yellowhead Regional Library. I remember feeling such a sense of excitement as I affixed my signature to the agreement, and thinking that we were embarking on something truly unique and momentous.
My involvement continues to this day. I have always been on The Alberta Library Board, and in 2003 was pleased to be elected Chair after serving on the Executive Team for two years where I was Chair of the Advocacy Committee. Since then I have been the Public Library representative on the Executive and also serve on the Personnel Committee. The Alberta Library has been a big part of my professional life.
What drew you to your profession?
I really wish I could say that I had a calling to be a Librarian and that it was something I had dreamed about my whole life. However, to be honest, I looked upon it as a quick way to obtain a job. Once I completed my Bachelor of Arts in English, I realized that I was not really that employable. At that time, a Bachelor of Library Science meant only one additional year of study and jobs in the field were plentiful. I did not fall in love with the profession until I was actually part of it. By the time I returned to the University of Alberta in 1987 to complete my Master’s Degree, the profession had become my passion.
Who had the most influence over your career?
In terms of people who have influenced me, there have been many over the years. My parents, both of whom passed away in their early 50’s, provided me with what I consider to be a strong sense of ethics and standards, and that can’t help but spill over into one’s professional life. However, I can point to one individual whose conduct as a leader had a profound influence on me and helped me make the final transition between Manager and Leader - Dr. Sheila Bertram, former Dean/Director of the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. Up to the point of my return to complete my Master’s Degree in 1987, I had played it pretty “safe” in my career. Working within the boundaries, the rules of the provincial government, was how you got things accomplished. If in your quest to bring about a change you considered to be beneficial, you ran up against a policy or person who said “No – that’s not how it’s done – that’s not in the rules” – you pretty much looked for another route that might not achieve the exact outcome you were looking for, but one that was acceptable to the “powers that be.”
This attitude was changed forever by watching Dr. Bertram in action. While never flouting the rules that guided the larger University of Alberta, she nevertheless had a philosophy that made her a true leader. She was often told by senior University officials in response to some new innovation she wanted to try, that “It cannot be done as there is no rule that is applicable.” Her response was always, “If there is no rule that says you can, then there is no rule that says you cannot.” For me, this was a fundamental change in thinking and altered forever my attitude to “closed doors”. In response to an idea by a student, or colleague that she felt had merit, Dr. Bertram showed great leadership. It is very risky to break out of the boundaries to, what some may see, as violating the rules. She showed me that in order to achieve what you need, you must have the drive to change the rules or go beyond the boundaries, hierarchy and structure. Of course, you have to be prudent, not reckless. There will inevitably be conflict – that tension between the organization’s rules, boundaries, and policies and what you perceive needs to be done to take your institution to the next step, or to change the perception that others have of your institution. Dr. Bertram continued as my mentor and I was delighted when she was appointed to the Edmonton Public Library Board where she served as Chair for two years of her six year term.
What major changes have you noticed during your time with The Alberta Library?
While there have been many changes to TAL in terms of personnel and the sheer size of the operation, the most significant change for me has been in the heightened profile TAL now enjoys. In the beginning, the provincial government was not really aware of TAL or exactly what it entailed. Today, I believe we are very well known across all ministries of the provincial government as well as nationally. We are a model that other provinces wish to copy as a great example of collaboration and cooperation.
What has been the most rewarding part of working with TAL? What have you enjoyed the most?
It is difficult to point to one area I have found rewarding when it comes to TAL. Being so closely connected with the organization since its inception has, I believe, made me a more effective leader. I have seen first-hand what can be achieved when organizations (and their leaders) put aside egos and territorial issues to make decisions that will benefit the “greater whole”. My association with TAL helped shape the catch phrase or motto we use at Edmonton Public Library to describe our 17 branch operation: “We are one Library, with one staff and one collection.”
The most enjoyment I receive being part TAL is in working with the administrative staff and my colleagues during our Board meetings. I am always so impressed by the large, consistent turn-out and the passion that is expressed during the educational portions of the business meetings. I consistently witness collaboration, alliances, teamwork, and partnerships taking place which reinforces the feeling I have that a healthy, vibrant future is in the cards for The Alberta Library.