From the Desk of Lucy Pana, CEO

Year-end reviews can be a little tricky, especially in an organization such as ours. An enormous amount of time and energy goes into initiatives that don’t make the list, but that are essential to advancing the cause.

So before we look back at the past year, I would like to thank every one of you for the time and energy you put into The Alberta Library – your efforts really are essential to our continuing success.

We started 2008 with funding for two new projects under the Public Library Development Initiative – digitization and language learning software. While digitization has great long-term potential, the Tell Me More software program is providing real benefits for new Canadians today.

Our Collection Analysis Symposium in February brought well over 100 people together to share ideas and perspectives from across the province and as far away as New Brunswick and New Jersey.

Spring brought national recognition for Alberta’s library community, including the 2008CACUL Innovation Achievement Award for the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library – a great milestone.

In June we launched a new visual identity that neatly illustrated the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network and the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library as integral parts of the organization. We also launched a new website, and a more reader-friendly version of TAL Tales.

The fall was a busy time, as we participated in Municipal Affairs Minister Ray Danyluk’s public library consultation process, undertook a review of our Board governance and hosted a successful Netspeed conference in Edmonton.

We also launched Books and beyond, a new provincial library campaign with TV, radio and online ads that highlighted the wealth of resources available at libraries in an amusing and engaging way.

Not a bad way to start our second decade together. Thanks to your continuing cooperation, collaboration, participation and encouragement, we’re building a library system that improves the quality of life of all Albertans.

Have a great holiday season!

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Fall Board Meeting Notes

The Alberta Library’s November Board meeting in Edmonton featured a review of the 2009 budget and lively discussion on a number of issues.

The day began with a preliminary report from consultant Toni Lashbrook on an organizational Governance Structure Review. The review was designed to assess the effectiveness of TAL’s current governance structure to ensure that it supports the organization’s work by providing appropriate leadership and stewardship. The review will also provide recommendations to improve the Board’s governance capabilities.

Board members discussed the results of the preliminary report and made a number of suggestions. Toni will submit a draft of the final report to the Governance Standing Committee in January.

Margaret Law presented the TAL Budget Plan for 2009. The plan includes a review of risks and assumptions, as well as significant items for consideration in 2010 and 2011. Margaret noted that the most significant financial risk to the organization is the increasing cost of database licenses due to a weak Canadian dollar. The Board thanked Margaret for her excellent work as Chair of the Finance Committee.

The Board received official notification that NEOS is not renewing its membership in 2009, due primarily to issues related to offering TAL Card services. A number of NEOS members are expected to apply for individual TAL memberships.

Julia Reinhart, Christine Sammon and Ann Gish were appointed to the Nominations / Elections Committee.

Board members also participated in group discussions on a number of issues, including establishing a one-card solution for access to library collections, generating advice on key issues from leaders outside the library community and effective performance indicators.

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New Secretary / Treasurer elected

Mary-Jo Romaniuk has been elected to The Alberta Library’s Executive Committee as Secretary / Treasurer. Her responsibilities include chairing the Finance Standing Committee, presenting the budget and financial reports to the Board and representing the Board at meetings with the auditor.

As Board Chair Keith Walker noted, the position is traditionally appointed from the existing committee members. However, it can be a difficult position to fill because it requires a specific skill set.

As Associate Vice-Provost of Learning Services at the University of Alberta, Mary-Jo’s responsibilities include the Bookstore, University Press and Museums and Archives, as well as financial management, communication and marketing, fund development, strategic planning and research and development in the portfolio.

Mary-Jo articled with Ernst & Whinney Chartered Accountants. After five years in accounting, she moved to the Government of Alberta where she managed capital funding and community development programs, and held several senior positions. She then moved to the University of Alberta, where she has been for over 11 years.

Mary-Jo has a BComm and MLIS, and has commenced work on a PhD. She is a Fellow of the Frye Leadership Institute, and is involved with the organization and program delivery of the Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute. She also holds certificates in advanced facilitation and public participation.

Mary-Jo will serve a two-year term on TAL’s Executive Committee, ending April 2010.

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Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library Update

Kit Wilson (left) is recognized at TAL’s November Board meeting for her efforts as Director of the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library since she was seconded from the University of Alberta in 2005. Kit is joined by the University of Alberta’s Ernie Ingles and Christina Wilson.

As 2009 approaches, the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library (LHCADL) prepares for the year ahead with new committee members and plans to grasp news opportunities. Christina Wilson, former Emerging Technologies Librarian at TAL, steps up as the new LHCADL Director, replacing Kit Wilson.

“Kit has done incredible work with the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library,” said Christina. “So much has been achieved during her time as Director, and I’m excited to be a part of such an innovative project.”

Plans are also in place to revitalize the online LILAC (information literacy) toolkit. “It’s a great resource that isn’t being used to its full potential,” said Christina. “We’re hoping to encourage more people to start uploading tools by offering incentives such as prizes.”

Along with a new Director, a few more new faces have joined the LHCADL. Mary Jo Romaniuk joined the Standing Committee as the University of Alberta representative and Alison Nussbaumer joined as the University of Lethbridge representative. New members on the LHCADL Information Literacy and Awareness Committee (LILAC) include Kat Marlowe from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Alice Swabey of Mount Royal College.

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Tell Me More Campaign

Libraries across Alberta have received a Tell Me More toolkit to promote the unique language learning software. The toolkit contains colourful posters, shelf danglers, FAQ sheets, a print ad and more. You may see the Tell Me More logo popping up on library homepages, to provide easy access to the software for library patrons at their library, or from their home computer just by clicking on the link and logging in.

The toolkit complements the current Tell Me More campaign which includes TV, radio and print advertisements running in multi-cultural media outlets across Alberta.

To download the Tell Me More logo, and a customizable news release and print ad, visit the Tell Me More website. If your library has not received a Tell Me More toolkit please contact your regional library system. If you have questions about its contents, please contact Janis Galloway.

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Board pays tribute to CEO Lucy Pana

Lucy Pana, TAL CEO, and Keith Walker, TAL Board Chair

With TAL CEO Lucy Pana officially retiring at the end of February 2009, the gathering for the fall Board meeting in November was an opportunity to pay tribute to the first and only CEO in the history of the organization.

Board Chair Keith Walker, Executive Committee members Linda Duplessis and Tom Hickerson and APLEN Director Karla Palichuk talked about Lucy’s contribution to The Alberta Library from a variety of perspectives.

“Lucy has shown outstanding leadership in the creation and growth of The Alberta Library for more than ten years,” said Keith. “Her drive for excellence has molded TAL into the award-winning model of collaboration it is today.”

“By working with Lucy, we have learned what it is to ‘live’ leadership,” said Karla. “Lucy has been our safety net and our sounding board. She might have the title of CEO, but it is how she has acted with each of us that earned her our respect.”

"The Board has been incredibly supportive over the years, so I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate this occasion with them," said Lucy. "I would like to thank everyone who organized the event and everyone who took the time to share their good wishes. My husband Larry and I enjoyed everything about the evening, and we were grateful to share it with so many friends and colleagues."

TAL’s Dyan Perley, Lucy Pana and Tina Best.

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TAL Profile

Joanne Kemp, Library Director, MacEwan College Library

What is your involvement with The Alberta Library?

MacEwan was one of the original members of TAL. I’ve served on the Board of Directors, been a member and chair of the Knowledge Network Steering Committee, and a member of the Accountability Team for the development of the Business and Implementation Plan for the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library.

What drew you to your profession?

While libraries were always an integral part of my life, I never thought that I’d actually work in one. However, after graduating with a B.A. and needing a job, I was lucky enough to be hired by the Winnipeg Public Library as a Library Reference Assistant. I soon discovered that I really enjoyed helping others use the resources and services of the library. I also realized that this was the career for me and enrolled in the School of Library Science at the University of Alberta.

Who had the most influence over your career?

Probably the most influential were two of the individuals that I reported to at Grant MacEwan College - Allen Watson, my first boss, and Janet Paterson-Weir, my current boss. I learned so much from them about the ‘politics of the environment’ and how to effect change. They encouraged me to ‘think out of the box’ and to take risks; they also supported me in completing my Masters degree and taking leadership training, while still working full time. Eventually, all of this resulted in me taking on various administrative positions at the college.

What major changes have you noticed during your time with The Alberta Library?

Many, many changes - the growth in the use of the TAL card; the significant increase in digital licensing opportunities; and the expansion/diversity of the membership to name just a few.

Why do you think libraries are important?

I think that libraries are an essential service – an endless supply of books to read or movies or music, the resources required for your research paper or the data you need at work, the answers to your questions, and so on. A library is both a place that you can visit and a resource that you can use on the web. And the people that don’t believe this are just the ones that we haven’t reached yet.

What has been the most rewarding part of working with TAL?

Believing, and then seeing, that by working together, we, The Alberta Library, could achieve so much.

What have you enjoyed the most?

The interaction with the individuals of TAL (fellow directors, the staff, and members of the various committees) and the exchange of ideas and opinions.

What is the best thing you ever borrowed from the library?

As an eight year-old, The Wizard of Oz. The first book (of many) that I couldn’t put down and read under the covers with a flashlight…

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Library Q & A – Vermilion Public Library

Donna Jones, Director of Vermilion Public Library, shares what her library is up to.

Staff and volunteers of the Vermilion Public Library.

What is your biggest current challenge?

Currently, it’s balancing administrative and operational duties, funding and space requirements. As patrons become more proficient with interlibrary loaning, the volume of material to handle increases dramatically.

What area is changing the fastest in your library?

The area which is changing the fastest in our library over the past six months is the staff work load which is driven by the increasing demands for customer service. Technology is rapidly changing and the volume of interlibrary loans continues to climb as does the need to train patrons in the use of new technology.

What idea are you most proud of over the last five years?

I am most proud of the strong sense of team amongst the library staff and volunteers. The majority of our staff has been with the library for eight years or more and most of our volunteers have faithfully served through changing technology and increasing service demands, with one lady serving in a variety of capacities for more than 40 years. The staff and volunteers are like family and truly care for one another through both the good and the bad times.

Where do you see the most opportunity for innovation over the next decade?

I see great opportunities for innovation by library management and boards in the areas of budgeting for competitive salaries, building and facility expansion and upgrades, and the balancing of operating budgets in general. As our economy adjusts to recent events, libraries will still be here to meet the needs of financially strained families, non-profit organizations and even businesses. In the past, library staff and boards have become experienced in stretching their dollars to their maximum use. The economic challenges we all currently face will continue to stretch our innovation skills and bind our community around us.

How does your library stay in touch with your clients/library users?

We use a multitude of ways. Some methods take advantage of technology such as maintaining a current, interactive website which could be referred to as a “fluid document”; a monthly newsletter and monthly newspaper column. We also strive to excel in the area of customer service by making personal phone calls, readers advisories by the score, assistance with interlibrary loans and many one-on-one conversations – related to library and non-library issues alike. We have become a home to individuals experiencing both joy and sorrow in their lives. Our mission: “…is to provide and promote library and information resources in a public space, welcoming and accessible to all”.

How do you stay in touch with political leaders in your community?

As a Library Manager, my plate is full managing staff, facilities and library service related issues, but I do make the time to chat with political leaders in our community as opportunity arises. This past week I accompanied a library trustee to our Town Council meeting to present the 2009 operating budget and answer questions they may have related to the library. Advocacy is a responsibility of my board, but I willingly work with them on this issue as well.

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