"To support and represent trustees in advancing public libraries."
Mission Statement, 2010.
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| The 1978 VIRL Board |
1965
• Library Trustee Institute organized by the Vancouver Island Regional Library -- Alex Smith, President
1967
• Library Trustee Institute established as a section of the BCLA -- Alex Smith, President
1976
• Initiative launched to establish a separate organization for Trustees -- Bill Parker, Chairman of the BCLTA Trustees' Section
1977
• British Columbia Library Trustees Association (BCLTA) registered under the Societies' Act (February 9)
• Goals of BCLTA included:
• to promote libraries and library service in BC
• to increase understanding and cooperation between library trustees and librarians
• to help guide library policy according to the individual needs of each community
• to guide libraries in their efforts to serve the public responsibly and creatively
• First issue of The Open Door published
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| The area representatives in 1978 |
1978
• New Government funding formula introduced
"Under this new formula we will be concentrating Provincial Grants on the provision of the most essential resources in public libraries - books."
Honourable San Bawlf, Minister of Recreation and Conservation
1979
• Request for action on library development and funding presented to the Honourable Hugh Curtis, Minister of the Department of Provincial Secretary and Government Service
• A Handbook for Library Trustees In British Columbia published and distributed -- authors Bill Parker, Nora Stocks, and Harry Newson
1980
• Stronger ties forged with community libraries of the North Coast, Central Interior and the Peace River -- Dolly Kennedy, President
• Library Advisory Council established
1981
• BC libraries enter an automation period
1982
• Pacific Northwest Library Association Conference held in Vancouver in association with BCLTA
• Clarification of the role of the Library Services Branch -- Peter Martin, Director, Library Services Branch; Alice Bacon, Coordinator, BCLA and BCLTA
• Amendments made to the Constitution and By-Laws
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| The Hon. James Chabot with Mary Barley and BCLTA president Emil Gobes, in 1984 |
1983
• Brief submitted to the Ministry of Provincial Secretary and Government Services requesting the provision of “standardized and centralized communication, interlibrary loans, and delivery services” -- The Hon. James Chabot
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1984
• Comprehensive training programs considered and introduced including WILL (Work in Library Leadership) developed in the US by Dr. Young
• Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws proposed
1985
• Meeting with the Minister of Provincial Secretary and Government Services -- The Hon. James Chabot
• The BC Library Advisory Council is discontinued and the gap is filled by the BCLTA
• Funding at public libraries maintained despite severe recession
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| Forging ahead in Fort St. John, 1984 |
1986
• First Strategic Planning Session held
• Mission Statement finalized, short and long term goals established
“The British Columbia Library Trustees Association is the body representing British Columbia public libraries. BCLTA offers support for trustees, provides library leadership, and functions as advocate for quality public service for the people of British Columbia.”
• Membership and voting structure changed and based on institutions
• Minor amendments made to the Constitution and Bylaws
• BCLTA Resolution for a task force to study library funding throughout the province endorsed at the UBCM Convention
• Pacific Northwest Library Association Conference held in Vancouver in association with BCLTA
• “Libraries are for Life” promotional video produced
• Trustee Handbook revised
• Inaugural Trustee Merit Award given to Daphne Scott
1987
• Meeting with the Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Culture (February) -- the Hon. Bill Reid
• Technical Advisory Committee struck to receive input on terms of reference for the proposed task force
• “New Approaches” task force set (July) and inaugural meeting held in Vancouver (August)
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| Out and about in 1987 |
1988
• Mission Statement revised:
“The British Columbia Library Trustees Association represents all public library boards in British Columbia. The Association advocates quality public library service and provides leadership and training.”
• Amendments to the Bylaws proposed
• Trustee Merit Award renamed in honour of Nancy Bennett
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| The 1989 logo |
1989
• BCLTA office space leased -- Allan Blair, Executive Director (Volunteer)
1990
• Library kit for small libraries produced -- Margaret Long and Lynsey Gibbons, Committee Members
• Workshop for small libraries presented at the Pitt Meadows conference for the first time
• “The Effective Trustee” workshop delivered
• First session of “TOPS” (Trustee Orientation Program) held
• Changes to the Constitution and Bylaws introduced
• SuperAchiever Awards established
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| Logo for the Open Door survey, 1990 |
1991
• Mission Statement revised
"To promote and foster the effectiveness of Public Library Boards in British Columbia, through unity, advocacy, education and leadership for the advancement of Library service throughout the Province."
• Constitution and Bylaw amendments approved
• Part-time Manager hired — Allan Blair
• Continuing Education program expanded
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| Gaining recognition in 1992 |
1992
• Submission made in response to Provincial White Paper on public library legislative framework
• InterLink network debuts with twelve participating libraries
• Structure and policies refined around operational functions: Human Resources, Finance, Programs, Executive Functions and Advocacy
• Permanent Part-time Executive Director hired -- Eileen Jennings
• BCLTA Brochure produced
• Open Door survey conducted
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| The 1992 logo |
1994
• Guidelines for annual membership dues and assessments for Institutional Members set
1995
• Meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Hon. Darlene Marzari
• “Advocacy: Public Trust in Action” workshop developed and delivered throughout the province -- Carol-Ann Page
• Joint library exhibit and workshop with BCLA and ABCPLD proposed for UBCM Conference
• SuperAchiever awards renamed Super Trustee Awards
1996
• New Executive Director hired -- Barrie Lynch
1997
• Meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Michael Farnworth
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1998
• Office relocated
1999
• Meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Hon. Jenny Kwan
• Member survey conducted
• Strategic Planning Workshop -- facilitated by John Collison
• TOP Online introduced -- funding from Industry Canada and assistance from the Library Services Branch
2000
• Meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Hon. Jim Doyle
• First-time Reception held at UBCM Convention for Mayors, Municipal Councillors, and City Managers from across British Columbia -- co-hosted with BCLA and ABCPLD
• New Executive Director hired -- Joan Abbott
• TOP Online revised -- program delivered in April and October
• BCLTA Listserve introduced
2001
• Advocated for increased library funding in a meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Hon. Jim Doyle
• Survey conducted to help direct BCLTA’s education planning process
• New domain address reserved -- bclta.org
2002
• Briefing meeting with the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, the Hon. George Abbott
• New mission statement adopted:
“To develop and support library trustees to advance public library service in British Columbia.”
• Overhaul of bclta.org under the direction of Mandy Davies, newly hired Administrative Assistant
• New logo and new format for Open Door
2003
• Strategic plan process for public libraries launched by the provincial government
• Meeting with the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, the Hon. George Abbott
2004
• Premier’s Summit on Literacy attended
• Provincial strategy for public libraries released -- “Libraries Without Walls: The World Within Your Reach”, October
• Meeting with the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, the Hon. Murray Coell
• Board Liaison Representative positions introduced
• Engaged in a strategic planning process
2005
• Public Library Services Branch moved to the Ministry of Education -- Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister
• Attendance at the Virtual Reference and Gateway Symposia
• Beyond the Word contest held -- partnered with BCLA, VPL, and others; stories published in book form and distributed
• New Executive Director hired -- Maureen Black
• CardSmart program instituted by Public Library InterLINK
• Efforts to update and expand TOP initiated
• Plans made to introduce a program specifically for Board Chairs
• Communications plan drafted
2006
• Meeting with the Minister of Education, the Hon. Shirley Bond
• Askaway, BC Province-Wide Virtual Reference Initiative, and BC OneCard Service launched
• Phase 1 of The Gateway Project
• Participation in the “Libraries in Dialogue with Government” Symposium held in Victoria
• Submission made to the Select Standing Committee on Education
• Trustee Handbook updated
• TOP Trainers debut to facilitate training throughout the province
2007
• Stand-alone conference held in Kelowna -- BCLTA’s 30th Anniversary
• Participation in the Gateway & Privacy Symposium held in Vancouver and the Library 2020 Symposium held in Burnaby
• PLSB directed to revise the Strategic Plan for Public Libraries with a view towards introducing amendments to the Library Act
• Embarked on building a collaborative relationship with BCSTA
• Membership needs survey conducted
• Revised Trustee Handbook, The Effective Board Member, issued
• TOP Online relaunched and website Forum feature added
• New Executive Director hired -- Errin Morrison
2008
• Meeting with the Minister of Education, the Hon. Shirley Bond
• Meeting with the Minister of Community Services, the Hon. Ida Chong
• Review of the Library Act formally announced
• Involved in preliminary consultation session on a Settlement/Library Partnership initiative
• PLSB grant received to facilitate a study of library infrastructure needs
• Member of the Library 2020 Interim Working Group
• Library Highways Sign Campaign initiated
• Attendance at the BC Digitization Symposium
• New voting protocol approved
• Strategic Plan revised, Constitution and Bylaws reviewed
• Partnerships with ABCPLD and BCLA enhanced
2009
• Meeting with the Minister of Education, the Hon. Shirley Bond
• Meeting with the Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy, the Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid
• Major advocacy program conducted to maintain library funding; meets with partial success
• Budget 2010 Consultation Submission issued -- with BCLA
• Meeting with PLSB and the BC Library Cooperative
• Organized summer series of province-wide Library receptions for MLAs -- with ABCPLD and Library Federations
• Legal analysis of the BC-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement commissioned
• Constitution and Bylaws revisions approved at the AGM
• Board Chair training launched
• Massive funding reduction results in the loss of the Executive Director position
• Work completed on Library 101: A Primer for Local Governments
• Survey on the Library Act Review conducted and final brief submitted to PLSB
• Library Highways Sign Campaign tabled
• Sustainable long-term budget introduced
• Preliminary results of the Public Library Infrastructure study released
• TOP training program revised
2010
• Meetings held twice with the Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy, the Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid
• Meeting and conference call with Deputy Minister James Gorman
• Bi-annual meetings with the Deputy Minister instituted
• Advocacy work, particularly with regard to public library funding, continued -- with BCLA and ABCPLD
• Membership in the BC Libraries Cooperative obtained
• Formal MOU or working agreements with BCSTC and UBCM initiated
• Phases 2 and 3 of the Library Infrastructure Study scheduled
• www.bclibrarieschangelives.ca launched in partnership with BCLA, ABCPLD, and BC’s public libraries
• Mission statement revised:
“To support and represent trustees in advancing public libraries.”
2011
• Work continues on formal MOU or working agreements with BCSTC and UBCM
• Strategic Plan Revised
• Enhancements to the TOP training program continue
2012
• Mandy Davies leaves BCLTA after 10 years as Administrative Assistant
• Lauren Wolf hired as Executive Director February 2012
BCLTA PAST PRESIDENTS
1976, 1977 Bill Parker
1978, 1979 Dolly Kennedy
1980, Nora Stocks
1981, Bunne Hoffman
1982, Gordon Hoglund
1983, Emil Gobes
1984, 1985 Allan Blair
1986, 1987 Gordon Wainwright
1988, Sue Granger
1989, Mae Williams
1990, 1991 Chuck Haddock
1992, 1993 Chad Whyte
1994, 1995 Barrie Lynch
1996, 1997 Dan Greene
1998, 1999 Ernest Neumann
2000, Colleen Chambers
2001, 2002 Blair Qualey
2003, 2004 Sally Gibson
2005, 2006 Lawrence Lavender
2007, Peter Wainwright
2008 to 2011, Andy Ackerman
2011 Ivan Idzan