Inside The Alberta Library

From the desk of
Karla Palichuk, Interim CEO

Spring 2009 will be remembered as an important time by Alberta’s library community. The Alberta Government’s 39 per cent funding increase for libraries to help improve collaboration, innovation and technology is the result of the hard work of a great number of people.

Just as significant, the government’s report, Framework for the Future: Positioning Alberta Libraries for the 21st Century, is the result of hundreds of library stakeholders taking the time last fall to express their ideas and concerns. The report has major implications for The Alberta Library, and we look forward to helping to implement the relevant recommendations with our partners.

Our happiness with the report is tempered by the fact that we have been advised that funding for the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library will be reduced in 2009. We will work with our members on strategies to deal with the new fiscal reality.

This spring we’re pleased to welcome Maggie Macdonald as Chair of The Alberta Library Board of Directors. Maggie’s tremendous experience in the library community, including a stint as Chair of the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network, will be a great benefit to the organization. On behalf of the TAL community, it’s my pleasure to welcome her to her new role.
One of Maggie’s first responsibilities as Board Chair was meeting with Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ray Danyluk at the Alberta Library Conference in Jasper. Minister Danyluk was joined by Fred Horne, MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford, and Teresa Woo-Paw, MLA for Calgary-Mackay, two of the authors of the government’s library report.

We were joined at the meeting by former Board Chair Keith Walker and Linda Duplessis, current Chair of the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network. It was an opportunity not only to share information about The Alberta Library, but also to express appreciation for the government’s support and to share ideas on the future of library services in Alberta.

I would also like to thank everyone who took part in the library stakeholder consultation sessions held last fall that led to the Alberta Government’s report. Your passion and commitment to quality library services in your communities played a major role in advancing the cause of public libraries across the province.

Congratulations to new CLA Executive Council members Keith Walker of Lethbridge Public Library, Vice-President and President-Elect for 2009-2010; Pam Ryan of University of Alberta Libraries, new Division President, CACUL; Carol Shepstone of Mount Royal College Library, Director-at-large of the Canadian Association of College and University Libraries; Christine Sammon of Alberta College of Art and Design Library elected CACUL Secretary Treasurer, and Nancy MacKenzie of Calgary Public Library, Vice-President and President Elect of the Canadian Association of Public Libraries.
I would also like to recognize Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives at the Banff Centre Library for receiving the CACUL 2009 Community and Technical College Libraries Innovation Achievement Award.

And congratulations to Karen Bass of Hythe Public Library who received a Canadian Authors Association’s (Alberta Branch) Exporting Alberta Award for her first teen novel, Run Like Jäger. Well done!

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New TAL Board Chair Maggie Macdonald.

Maggie Macdonald takes on new role as Board Chair

Maggie Macdonald, CEO of Chinook Arch Regional Library System, is the new Chair of The Alberta Library (TAL) Board of Directors. Maggie was elected Chair at TAL’s spring board meeting in Calgary.

As Chair, Maggie’s responsibilities include setting the agenda for board meetings, working closely with TAL’s CEO, representing the organization at official functions, serving as an official spokesperson and chairing the personnel committee.

Maggie has been a member of TAL’s Board of Directors since the organization was created in 1997. As Chair of the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network from 1999 to 2003, Macdonald spearheaded development of the first strategic plan for a province-wide network linking Alberta’s public libraries, and obtained support from the public library community.

TAL Tales spoke to Maggie about taking on the new role as Board Chair.

What interested you most about becoming TAL’s Board Chair?

This is an exciting time for libraries in Alberta - and for TAL. The new provincial budget has significantly increased funding for public libraries for the first time in over 15 years with specific reference to continuing to support collaboration and effective use of technology as part of its strategic priorities. The Minister’s response to the MLA Task force report, Framework for the Future: Positioning Alberta Libraries for the 21st Century, released in April shows that the government is committed to breaking down barriers between types of libraries and across government ministries. It is therefore essential that TAL assist the Minister to achieve these new goals for library service in Alberta. The changes on the horizon will impact all members of TAL and will provide new impetus to TAL in its quest to provide barrier-free access to libraries for Albertans. I particularly enjoy the challenge of building community agreement for initiatives.

What do you see as the biggest challenges on the horizon for the organization?

Our biggest challenge will be meeting the need to further break down the cross-sectoral boundaries which keep all libraries in their particular silos. This challenge will require our separate library types to reach across our perceived differences to find our common goals.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities?

Further to what I said earlier, the opportunity has been handed to us by the Minister’s response to the MLA Task Force report. We can continue to collaborate and work at breaking down our barriers with the support and encouragement of the provincial government lead by the Public Libraries Branch of the Department of Municipal Affairs.

One of your first official acts as Chair was meeting with Minister Ray Danyluk in Jasper. How was that experience?

It was great opportunity to meet with the Minister and the MLAs who wrote the Task Force report. As TAL representatives we were able to tell the Minister and the MLAs about TAL’s direction and focus. It was particularly gratifying to be able to inform them that TAL had already taken steps toward the concept of “one library card” at our recent meeting when we approved the concept in principle.

What would you most like to achieve during your time as Board Chair?

I would love to see TAL reach the goal of one library card for Albertans and to further breakdown our sector silos. As well I am looking forward to helping to lead TAL’s participation and support for the cross ministry initiatives for publicly funded libraries as announced by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Who had the most influence over your library career?

There have been so many people who have influenced my career it is hard to mention just a few. Most recently I have had the great good fortune to work with a large and committed regional Library Board representing rural and urban municipalities and have learned much about service and accountability from them. My colleagues from Regional Library Systems in Alberta have been an enormous influence for the past 20 years as well - in particular Rowena Lunn and Dr. Harold Storlien. Maureen Woods was a model for community development and engagement when she was the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network Program Manager and I was the Steering Committee Chair. And, although I never worked for him, Alan Macdonald was a role model from my observation point at SAIT, when he came to the University of Calgary and demonstrated how to implement significant change while respecting staff and tradition. Throughout my career, my husband George Hall, also a professional librarian until he moved out of the library field, frequently demonstrated vision and innovative approaches to funding library services which I was able to freely borrow.

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Rowena Lunn receives Outstanding Achievement Award

April 17 marked the last TAL Board Meeting for Rowena Lunn, who is retiring from her position as Director of Marigold Library System. In recognition of her contribution, The Alberta Library presented Rowena with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Rowena has been with The Alberta Library since its creation in 1997, serving on numerous committees.

“Your enthusiasm for libraries and your generosity with your time, energy and expertise has been remarkable,” said Board Chair Keith Walker. “Over the years, your leadership on TAL’s Board of Directors, Membership Committee, Governance Committee, Finance Standing Committee, Advocacy Standing Committee and Executive Committee has left
an indelible impression on the organization.”

“It’s been a great privilege to be part of The Alberta Library,” said Rowena. “We started with the idea that working together makes everyone stronger, and over the years we proved that to be true. The recent government investment in libraries is also a product of years of hard work together, talking about the value of libraries. It’s important that people from all parts of the community continue to talk about why libraries are important, and why they are a great investment. The fact is that libraries change lives for the better. They are an enormous force for good in communities across the province. Libraries are more relevant to people today than ever. Telling that story, and finding new ways to tell that story, should never stop.”

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TAL Spring Board Meeting Highlights

What, no spring blizzard? The Alberta Library Board of Director’s meeting in Calgary on April 17th broke with tradition in a couple of ways. First, the sun was shining. And second, tables were arranged around the room in a way that helped people connect with each other and facilitated small group discussion.

Board members spent part of the morning reviewing and discussing recommendations from the Governance Structure Review. As time permitted, they also discussed a range of issues, including advocacy, communications, and strategic leadership and planning. The results of the discussion will be collated and shared with the Executive Committee and the Governance Committee.

Executive Committee elections included Maggie Macdonald, CEO of Chinook Arch Regional Library System, as the new Chair; Fiona Dyer, of Lethbridge Community College, as the College and Technical Institutes representative; and Mircea Panciuk, of Northern Lights Library System, as the Regional Library System representative.

Two-year committee appointments included: Angela Kublik to the Advocacy Standing Committee; Tim Janewski to the Finance Standing Committee; Joanne Griener, Ron Sheppard, Larry Tiedemann and Cory Stier to the APLEN Standing Committee; and Alison Nussbaumer, Mary-Jo Romaniuk and Debbie McGugan to the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library.

Sharon Siga, Keith Walker and Helga Kinnaird were recognized for their service to The Alberta Library and TAL’s Executive Committee, and Rowena Lunn was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Alberta Library’s audited financial statement for 2008 was passed with no significant concerns.

Board meeting dates

• Friday, November 27, 2009 in Edmonton at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel
• Friday, April 16, 2010 in Calgary
• Friday, November 19, 2010 in Edmonton
• Friday, April 15, 2011 in Calgary
• Friday, November 18, 2011 in Edmonton

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Are you serious? Books and beyond gets international laughs!

Very funny. That’s the tagline for Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), the US cable network that focuses mainly on comedy.

And that’s TBS’s verdict on The Alberta Library’s Books and beyond TV spots. The network recently aired two Alberta library ads in a review of the funniest television commercials from around the world.

You can see the spots on TBS’s website where they are attracting tens of thousands of hits (check out www.veryfunnyads.com – search by international category or brand). The library spots are featured alongside international brands such as BMW, BBC, Land Rover, Volkswagen and Heineken.

The recognition for the Books and beyond campaign follows last month’s third place in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) International Marketing Awards for 2009.

“One of the goals of the campaign is to break the stereotype that libraries are boring places where nothing much happens,” says Karla Palichuk, TAL’s Acting CEO. “We’re showing that libraries take you to some interesting places and they can change your life, and that books are just part of what libraries have to offer.”

And one of the best ways to get the point across is humour, says Karla. “If people are laughing, they’re engaged. Plus, humour is a great way for a campaign with a small budget such as ours to really make an impact.”

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MLAs Jeff Johnson, Teresa Woo-Paw and Fred Horne at the Alberta Government’s library funding increase announcement in Edmonton. 

Government report calls for enhanced role for TAL

The Alberta Government’s recent 39 per cent funding increase for public libraries is accompanied by a major report, Framework for the Future: Positioning Alberta Libraries for the 21st Century.

The report’s 18 recommendations have broad implications for Alberta’s library community. They include a call for an integrated library policy to guide decision-making, and an enhanced role for The Alberta Library (see the full report here)

The report is the work of Jeff Johnson, MLA for Athabasca-Redwater, Fred Horne, MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford, and Teresa Woo-Paw, MLA for Calgary-Mackay. The committee attended 11 consultation sessions across the province during September and October 2008. Hundreds of library stakeholders shared their ideas and opinions on how the province can best support libraries.

TAL Tales asked Fred Horne to share his insights into the consultation process and the library community in Alberta.

During your consultation sessions you met with hundreds of library stakeholders, including library professionals, staff and trustees, municipal leaders, educators, volunteers and others. What was your general impression as you were listening to people talk about libraries and their communities?

Through our consultation we encountered so many Albertans who are passionate and committed to providing quality library services. They recognized that libraries are a fundamental and tremendously important part of community life. They acknowledged that their lives as citizens and collectively as a community are enhanced because of the programs and services they access at their library. Their dedication is both remarkable and infectious. We hope we captured their passion in our report.

Was there anything that surprised you during the consultation process? Did it change the way you look at libraries?

During the consultation process, I was able to experience firsthand, the tremendous impact that libraries have on the lives of Albertans. The MLA Committee heard from hundreds of library stakeholders who shared their ideas on how the province can best support libraries. All of us on the committee saw the passion the library community, library workers, and library users have for their library. It is this passion for libraries that translates into action and involvement in their communities.

Alberta has benefited from the dedication of these people. Their sense of ownership in the system has inspired them to nurture their local libraries, tailoring services to community needs. Libraries have become a community touchstone. Whether you are a child, single parent, senior, or an entrepreneur developing a new idea, you can visit the library, be welcomed, and get the support you need.

Alberta’s library system is an excellent example of shared governance, a tremendous success story, but not without its challenges. While autonomy has created strong local libraries and library boards, the flip-side is the evolution of “silos” inadvertently restricting access to certain services, duplicating others, and increasing cost. The challenge for the MLA Committee was to develop recommendations that break down these silos and increase access to libraries without taking away their autonomy.

The report recommends enhancing the role of The Alberta Library. What do you see as some of the important roles that The Alberta Library can play?

The recommendations build on The Alberta Library’s significant experience in creating library efficiencies and its already established relationship with library stakeholders. The Alberta Library can take on a greater profile and enhance its role as an umbrella organization that works closely with the publicly funded libraries, regional library systems, and the Government of Alberta. Municipal Affairs will initiate discussions with The Alberta Library on potential ways for its role to be enhanced or expanded by:
- Designing, building and implementing a provincewide technology plan that supports standardization, including wireless communications, and a single library system that will create seamless access to library services.
- Exploring opportunities to implement or pilot new technologies and improve library services.
- Helping implement a single library card that would permit Albertans to access library materials from all publicly funded libraries in Alberta.

- Developing minimum provincewide standards and best practices for library services.
- Planning and implementing a provincewide marketing plan aimed at increasing the awareness of the library services to Albertans.
- Planning and implementing a library workforce strategy that includes attraction, retention and development of public library staff.

One of the key components of the report is the creation of a provincewide technology plan. How important is it for libraries to move to a single operating system?

A provincewide technology plan will help to create a standardized, seamless network of library services. The plan will build on government’s investment in the SuperNet, The Alberta Public Library Electronic Network, and existing technologies.

As part of its technology plan, the MLA Committee recommends Alberta move to a single operating system to maximize efficiencies. Currently, there are numerous versions and customizations of the two main operating systems being used. The goal is to achieve better efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of library services throughout the province. A centralized library operating system could streamline access and enhance collaboration and move us closer to our vision – seamless access to library services and resources for all Albertans.

How has the library community responded to the report? What kind of feedback have you had?

Feedback from the library community has been very positive. They are proud of the work that has been accomplished and know this is a reflection of their passion, vision and foresight.

Last year, the library community was asked to look at ways we could work together to create a strategy that would take libraries into the 21st century, and to think about how Alberta’s library service could grow and evolve. It required a lot of hard work, but the library community rose to the occasion by sharing their ideas and giving us the building blocks to develop a framework for libraries. We are looking forward to continuing to work together to create a better future for public libraries and library services in Alberta.

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The Alberta Library 2008 Annual Report

Watch your mailbox for TAL’s 2008 Annual Report, with highlights of last year’s achievements and new directions – including new initiatives in digitization and language learning software.

TAL is currently mailing copies of the report province-wide. You can also download the report here. If you require extra copies please contact Janis Galloway, TAL Communications Coordinator.

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2009 Alberta Library Conference focuses on future

On April 23 – 26, library staff, trustees and students from every corner of the province gathered for the annual Alberta Library Conference in Jasper, hosted by the Library Association of Alberta and the Alberta Library Trustees Association.

It was an informative weekend filled with engaging keynotes, author talks and sessions on everything from library website design, library advocacy to even growing a prison library. This year’s theme was Cultivating our Future: Seeds for Success, and with the recent announcement of a 39 per cent increase in provincial funding for public libraries, spirits were high.

Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs, Ray Danyluk, received a standing ovation when he addressed the conference on Saturday afternoon. Minister Danyluk encouraged the community to continue striving to provide more access to resources for Albertans.

On Saturday, keynote speaker Jesse Brown from CBC Radio’s Search Engine gave a thought-provoking presentation about social media and some simple Rules of Engagement for this technology including: don’t front, get opinionated, get clear, respect the geeks and get comfy, cause the Internet isn’t going anywhere! Brown’s presentation was well-received and especially relevant for libraries as they become more engaged in using social media to connect to users and the library community itself. 

For more information about the Alberta Library Conference visit www.albertalibraryconference.com.

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EPL announces new Readers’ Choice Award

The Edmonton Public Library (EPL), in partnership with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta (BPAA), announced their sponsorship of a new Alberta book publishing award worth $10,000. The Alberta Readers’ Choice Award will promote the works of Alberta authors and publishers, and encourage the reading public to support literary works published in Alberta.

The annual award will be given to a work of adult fiction or narrative non-fiction published by an Alberta-based publishing house, with the top book being determined by the public.

“It is with great pride that I announce the creation of the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award”, said Linda C. Cook, CEO of Edmonton Public Library. “With this award, EPL and the BPAA are further promoting reading and literacy throughout the province. We are also celebrating Alberta’s writing and publishing communities, which continue to be amongst the finest in Canada. EPL is happy to partner with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta, and is hopeful that the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award will spur similar endeavours throughout the country.”

The first Alberta Readers’ Choice Award will be presented at the 2010 Alberta Book Publishing Awards Gala in Edmonton. Visit www.albertareaderschoice.ca for more information on the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award.

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Library Q&A - Northern Lakes College Library

Helen Prosser, Director of Northern Lakes College Library shares what’s new at her library.

Staff of Northern Lakes College Library. From left to right: Shirley Anderson, Brenda McDermott, Linda Munroe, Amy Wright-Rosche, and Helen Prosser.

What is your library’s biggest current challenge?

We’re finding it challenging to get some students into the library. The community has many students who don’t have strong literary backgrounds and they don’t understand all the resources they can access in the library. We view this as an opportunity and want to do everything we can to help get them on the track to lifelong learning.

What area is changing the fastest in your library?

The library’s online presence has significantly increased over the last few years. We have a brand new website that is much easier to manage and provides easier navigation. We currently have 700 video stream titles and another 700 linked through our website to the National Film Board. Our digital collection continues to grow to meet our users’ needs. The efficiency of a strong online collection is evident through the decreased requests to physically ship items from one campus to another.

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

We’ve recently introduced CCI Learning Solutions into our library. They are self-directed computer tutorials administered in the library and accessible from any computer for staff and students. The tutorials offer lessons on digital literacy, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Many people are utilizing the software because it features lessons for all levels of learning.

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

I think there is a lot of opportunity for post-secondary libraries to work closer with student populations to identify their learning needs and tailor resources to meet their learning needs. Specifically in Northern Lakes College Library, we have a small student population, which makes it possible for the library and students to collaborate more closely and discover what resources can help their learning process.

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

Communication is constant between the library and the students and faculty. We use email, phone and face-to-face contact. The lines of communication are very open and almost every day I receive an email or phone call from someone proposing an idea of what new resources could be brought into the library. Our users feel very comfortable sharing their suggestions and feedback with us.

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New Red Crow Community College Library

Contributed by Tom Russell, Blood Tribe Communications Writer.

The Red Crow Community College (RCCC) hosted the Calgary Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial who graciously pledged funds toward a state-of-the-art library facility currently in the development stages at the college. Francis First Charger, CEO, Mikai’sto Foundation, said the pledge will certainly go a long way in realizing the Red Crow College’s goal of offering a learning centre for the people of the Blood reserve.

“Today’s donation from the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial is a seed that will germinate and blossom into eventually becoming a reality of getting the $25 Million required for the new resource centre at Red Crow Community College.”

The RCCC learning centre will feature a library which will allow for greater access by its users for resources they would normally have to go off the reserve to acquire. An opportunity for long distance learning will be at the fingertips of those who desire to interact with professionals or instructors and the library will also house books, periodicals and related research materials for those whose studies require more in-depth resources.

Not only will the library facility house information for scholars and students, but will have culture-relevant artifacts and information geared toward the history of First Nations’ peoples. Other culture-relevant resources will be of spiritual, historical and ceremonial significance as a measure of preserving the Blackfoot culture.  The learning centre will also include an elder’s lounge and a botanical garden.

“The establishment of this learning centre is a tremendous step forward for generations to come and this will open the door for Tribal members to utilize the library to broaden their horizons,” said Chief Charles Weasel Head.

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