PNLA Quarterly, Vol. 63 No.2 Winter 1999
ALBERTA
Judy Moore, Alberta Representative
People
New Director of Information Resources at the University of Calgary, Dr. Frits Pannekoek assumes responsibility for the University Library, the University Press, the University Archives and Freedom of Information. He was formerly the Director of Historic Sites (1979-1989, 1996-1999) and Director of Historic Sites and Archives (1989-1996) for the Department of Community Development.Karen Harrison has been appointed Co-ordinator of the Investor Learning Resource Centre in Calgary to open in December 1998. The Investor Learning Centre of Canada sponsors the Resource Centre, which is Canada's first, independent not-for-profit organization solely dedicated to providing non-promotional investment education.
After 20 years of distinguished service with Alberta's Legislature Library, including five years as librarian, Lorne Buhr retired from the Legislative Assembly Office in May, 1998.
Sandra Perry replaces Lorne as Legislature Librarian. A U of A (M.L.I.S.) graduate, Sandra previously served as Head of Public Services, Concordia University College; Head of Public Services, Provincial Court Libraries (Province of Alberta); and Manager, Provincial Court Libraries.
Paul Roberts is the new Library Director at Prairie Bible College and Graduate School in Three Hills. He comes from the library at Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina. Ron Jordahl, the former director for 32 years at Prairie Bible is now working in the library at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Recent SLIS graduate (U of A) Kerry Anderson is now Public Services Librarian at Northern Lights Library System. Karla Palichuk joins Kerry as the new Technical Services Librarian. Marvin Soderberg of Lloydminster has been named chair of the Board of Directors.
Mary-Ann Thurber joined the Peace Library System in September as a consulting associate.
Sharon Keene has retired after 15 years with Peace River Municipal Library.
Spruce Grove Public Library is pleased to have Sherri Suszko as their new Children's Programmer.
At Marigold Library System, Anita Choate, cataloguer since 1989, has taken a position with Strathmore Municipal Library. Andrew Kovatch has replaced her. Arlene Hammer, consultant, has decided to stay at home with her young family and Linda Miller is replacing her as consultant in the automation area.
News
On September 8, coinciding with International Literacy Day, The Alberta Library received $2.4 million in funding from Western Economic Diversification and Alberta Community Development. Each contributed $1.2 million to allow the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network (APLEN) to become a reality. APLEN will connect public libraries and their communities to the rapidly expanding on-line information universe. It will also provide efficient access to the millions of items that now exist in Alberta's libraries and government information resources.Planning for the Alberta Library Conference '99 to be held in Jasper, Alberta April 29-May 2, 1999 at the beautiful Jasper Park Lodge is well underway. ALC will feature two keynote speakers - Knowlton Nash, best known as the man who "defined the news" for many years in Canada, and Joseph Janes, founding Director of the Internet Public Library at the School of Information at the University of Michigan. For more information, contact Pilar Martinez, Conference Co-chair at (403) 962-2003 or email her at pmartinez@ccinet.ab.ca
Twenty-six Alberta adult learning institutions will share $20 million in one-time Knowledge Networks funding to expand Albertans' access to library resources and to new electronic digital libraries. A total of $16 million will be provided directly to institutions to support the development and enhancement of information infrastructure, increasing student access to learning materials. Of this $16 million allotment, $4 million is specifically marked for collaborative initiatives.
The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) has expressed serious concern over the continuing decline of the Canadian dollar and the effect this has upon the ability of the nation's research libraries to fulfill the needs of Canadian researchers. Recent calculations by the University of Alberta show that since January alone, its library has lost more than $200,000 in buying power as a result of the weakening dollar. Put another way, that's nearly 2,800 books or 400 journal subscriptions that we cannot buy," said Ernie Ingles, Associate Vice-President, Learning Systems.
The Gates Library Foundation (GLF) announced the launch of a Canadian grant program on October 1, 1998. GLF will provide Canadian libraries in low-income communities with access to computers, the Internet, and technical training. Grants will provide computer hardware to qualifying libraries, as well as training for librarians. Grant guidelines are currently being developed and will be released in early 1999.
Appreciating the contributions that older people make to society, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly has designated 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. The theme for the year is "Towards a Society for All Ages," reflecting the goal of increasing public awareness about the important role that older adults play in all walks of life. At Calgary Public Library, older persons will be recognized in a variety of ways. A website designed by Gaynor Steedsman will be launched where participants can share memories of early days, read about new books, music or video releases, discover ideas for planning a special birthday or anniversary, or find links to other sites of interest. Libraries of all types are encouraged to participate in The International Year of Older Persons and to promote the library as an institution that is both elder-friendly and relevant to an aging community. Related information sites/websites are:
United Nations: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/iyop/
IYOP Canada Coordinating Committee: http://iyop-aipa.ic.gc.ca
IYOP Alberta: http://www.gov.ab.ca/mcd/seniors/iyop/iyop.htm