PNLA Quarterly, Vol. 63 No.2 Winter 1999

British Columbia Annual Report, 1997-98
Sybil Harrison, BC Representative

BCLA Executive Committee for 1998/99 include President Greg Buss, Richmond Public Library; Vice-President Sybil Harrison, Fraser Valley Regional Library; Past-President Ron Clancy, New Westminster Public Library; Treasurer Todd Mundle, Simon Fraser University; Asst Treasurer Robert Gore, Kwantlen College; Director (2 year) Anita Cocchia, Eletronic Library Network; Director (2 year) Jacqueline Bradshaw, Langara College; Director (1 year) Ann Goodhart, West Vancouver Public Library; Director (1 year) Deb deBruijn, Electronic Library Network; Membership Secretary Sylvia Roberts, Simon Fraser University; Recording Secretary Jean Cockburn, Douglas College; Editor, BLCA Reporter Ted Benson, West Vancouver Public Library; ALPS Section chair Melinda Baranie, Vancouver Community College; YAACs section chair Andree Duval, Richmond Public Library; LSB Liaison Jim Looney, Library Services Branch

BCLA AWARDS

Once a year BLCA celebrates the achievements of the association, of libraries and of individuals. This year the BCLA awards lucheon was held during the CLA conference in Victoria. Jennie Kwan, Minister of Municipal Affairs, attended the luncheon and pledged her continued support for public libraries in the province. She was presented with a citation in appreciation of her hard work on behalf of BC libraries.

Other awards presented were: Squamish Public Library received a building merit award for their outstanding new facility. The new library is an excellent example of a building that suits the needs of a smaller community. Richmond Public Library has established itself as a leader among Canadian libraries with their Internet services. BLCA recognized Richmond for its outstanding Internet training and education with a program merit award. Suzanne Dodson of the University of B.C., is retiring after a remarkable career. Her contributions to government documents and preservation issues are a legacy. She was presented with an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award for her long-standing contribution to BCLA and to library service in BC. Janice Linton was instrumental in setting up the Aids Resource Centre Library and she continues to provide library services to persons with aids, their families members and volunteers that serve this community. Deb deBruijn is recognized as one of the province's outstanding leaders in the college library community. Janice and Deb were presented with Achievement in Library Service Awards in recognition of their contributions to the profession. Christian Kruse of Sechelt Public Library was recognized for his contributions to BCLA, particularly his work with the Bibliotique (BCLA's store) and for organizing BCLA's display at the Union of BC Municipalities conference.

Projects

BCLA continues to administer a number of government funded projects. The management fees BCLA receives provides an important revenue source for the association.

The province-wide Summer Reading Club continues to be an enormously successful program. This year almost 100,000 children around over the province are "Wild about books."

Youth@BC is the continuation of the extremely successful program piloted in 1997. Funding allows libraries to hire students to provide Internet training and develop youth-orientated web-pages.

Communities Connect is a project aimed at enhancing BC focused cultural and educational content on the Web. BCLA is developing a web-directory of libraries, Focus Online, as part of this project.

The Association

1998 was a year of significant growth and change for BCLA. Patricia Sutherland was hired as the first executive director and the association relocated to downtown Vancouver. At the annual general meeting a resolution was passed to change the restrictive membership bylaws. Now that membership in BCLA is more open, it's expected that membership will increase. As well the association has begun some planning in the areas of communications, media strategy and image.

Issues

The provincial government is reviewing the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. The information policy committee presented a brief on this issue on behalf of the association. As well, the association joined forces with other groups (journalists, lawyers and other activists) to advocate for open and accessible government. The information policy committee has also been active in the opposing the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). BCLA has written to the Federal Department of trade in opposition to this international intiative.

The intellectual freedom committee has been active in responding to challenges to public library meeting room and internet policies.

Continuing education

BCLA organized a number of successful continuing education programs, including workshops on copyright, digital licensing, services for young adults and information management. The continuing education committee also launched the 250+ program. It provides incentive grants to libraries organizing continuing education programs in the 250 area code region, which covers the province beyond the lower mainland.