"Spirit of Librarianship" Award
Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS)
The University of Western Ontario
Page Compiled by: Jason Hammond & Sabina Iseli-Otto
Why This Page?
By: Jason Hammond, Spirit of Librarianship Winter 2006
I decided to compile this page for a few reasons. When I was nominated for the award during my first term at FIMS, I was extremely honoured but also curious about the award and its history - why was it created? Who had won it in the past? Where had they ended up? Luckily, I'd been paired with a former winner. Sabina-Iseli-Otto, as my "peer mentor" and she was able to answer some of my questions. But I still thought it would be useful to have a resource that kept this information as a form of "institutional memory", especially in a program where the turnover is so fast that you often barely get to know the people one term ahead of you and one term behind you, let alone people from other terms.
I initially offered to compile the page for the student council but because their current site is on a private intranet that is only accessible to current FIMS students, I decided to mirror the information on my own web page so others - including incoming students and alumni - could find out a bit about the award.
There are some gaps in the information below so if anybody can provide contact information for people that we don't have blurbs for (or if people want a better photo of themselves than the one I found on the FIMS intranet). Also, if anyone has lists of nominees from previous years, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Sabina who did most of the legwork in tracking down the blurbs and photos that we do have.
[Edit: I've also set-up a Facebook group for past winners and nominees which has 30 members as of January 2008.]
Award History
By: Pam Harris, Spirit of Librarianship Founding Committee
"The award was created as a way to recognize students for more than their academic achievements or their scholarly aptitude as well as to recognize those who show potential to be excellent librarians in all that this encompasses. I wanted to acknowledge these strengths, and have a means in place to systemically recognize these people in ways that would provide pride of professionalism as well as to encourage them to carry these skills forward to the workplace. Hence Spirit of Librarianship, as when you think of the profession of librarianship, it embraces a helpful heart and a willingness to go to the end in supporting a patron's need. A committee was struck, and as I was a member of the student council I was able to bring this award under their wing in the hopes that the award would have (more) longevity that way. The committee sought some funding provided by a few people connected to FIMS, including some professors. The funding was to get a plaque, have some funds to purchase the plates, and provide a small token prize to the recipient. The first award was photographed in the FIMS Graduate Library with Catherine Ross, Gloria Leckie, students etc. Sabina's mother, Susan Grieshaber-Otto, asked her husband to carve the beautiful plaque and some intricately carved book marks to go along with the award. We also had certificates printed up to give to each winner."
Award Criteria
(from the MLIS Student Council Constitution)
The Spirit of Librarianship Award is presented to a Master of Library and Information Science student to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions that this student brings to the program. It is to be awarded to the student who “exemplifies the spirit of librarianship” in their daily life as a student. It is based on a positive collegial attitude and contribution, a willingness to help whenever a need arises, and an interest in fellow students. Any current Master of Library and Information Science student is eligible, except those on co-op and those who have previously received the award, and those on the Spirit of Librarianship committee. The student body must be made aware of all members of the committee and the fact that they are ineligible of being nominated. Nominations are put forward for suggested candidates by fellow students or faculty near the end of each term. The nominator will be asked to supply an explanation why that individual should be nominated. This will be sent out with the list of nominees to be voted by fellow students, faculty, GRC employees and administration as desired.
Other "Rules" That Have Developed Over The Years
Award Sponsor
For the past few terms, FIMS alumnus, Cabot Yu, has generously provided a $50 CLA gift certificate to each winner which can be used to purchase or renew a student membership or for other CLA merchandise.
Past Winners of the Spirit of Librarianship Award
Gloria Liu
Iona Reid |
2007 - Fall - Gloria Liu and Iona Reid (first-ever tie) Gloria Liu embodies the spirit of librarianship because she is always willing to assist anyone who needs help whether through computer technology, research assistance, or even directions. She is a team player, resourceful, intelligent, innovative and works very diligently whether at her job at the GRC, student research assistant or volunteering in a library at Hamilton. All of her duties are conducted with an exemplary and a positive attitude. What makes Gloria an excellent candidate for this award is her willingness to always assist others and she is always smiling. I'd like to nominate Iona Reid for the SOL award. I think she really works hard with regard to all matters concerning the student body as a whole. She is dependable, reliable and always willing to assist. As well she is a great team player, who has no problem going the extra mile to help others. |
(Nominee group photo needed) Gloria Liu Ainsley Zock Rebekah Schmidt Iona Reid Sarah Camm Kristen Wood Kate Scheiers |
(Photo courtesy: Michelle Lake)
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2007 - Summer - Barb Janicek Barb is a wonderful person who goes above and beyond in everything that she does. She took it upon herself this year to revise the feedback sessions and did a wonderful job at it. Furthermore Barb is always willing to help out a fellow student no matter what their problem maybe. It is my opinion that Barb will make a wonderful librarian and succeed at everything that she wants to do. |
(Photo courtesy: Lisa Dyche)
Barb Janicek |
(Photo courtesy: Rachel Chan)
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2007 - Winter - Michelle Lake Even if you haven't had the pleasure of getting to know Michelle Lake personally, or met her in one of the various activities she has coordinated and attended, you probably still know her name from the many emails she has sent, sharing information that she feels the MLIS population would be interested in or benefit from. Michelle is all about sharing information, whether by email, on her well-maintained and relevant blog, or over a cup of coffee in the Grad Club. But it's not just because she is a true information professional that she exemplifies the Spirit of Librarianship. Neither is it just because she has sat on Student Council each term, representing her peers and helping them with housing issues. Nor is it just because she organizes events, like the Freedom to Read Week reading, or because she attends events and encourages others to participate (she is a faithful attendee at Trivia Nights). It's not just because she takes advantage of professional development opportunities (having attended the CLA conference in 2006 and OLA in 2007). Michelle isn't worthy of the nomination only because she manages to juggle working at London Public Library with a full MLIS course load, with academic success, or because she has worked in libraries in Hamilton, London, and Guelph. No, it's not for any of those reasons alone. Michelle Lake exemplifies the Spirit of Librarianship because she does ALL of those things, with a smile on her face, a positive attitude, and a willingness to help her fellow students every step of the way. She is genuinely passionnate about librarianship. She has contributed to every aspect of the program and is committed to the profession, to FIMS, to her studies, and to her peers. That is why Michelle deserves the nomination. |
(Photo courtesy: Rachel Chan)
Matthew Bingham |
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2006 - Fall - Lindsay Holdsworth Put simply, Lindsay is a dynamo. In addition to taking five classes per semester for each of the last three semesters (and maintaining an honour roll average overall), she's worked a part-time job at the London Public Library and volunteered on a number of student organizations in high-commitment, high-responsibility positions including Treasurer for CLA and Chair of Student Council. When we met with our Advocacy professor earlier this term, the professor observed that she felt like she was teaching at least three future CLA Presidents. I don't know who the other two people she was referring to were but I am pretty sure Lindsay was the third one! |
Emily Gusba |
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2006 - Summer - Bruce Fyfe Bruce's nominee said this about him: "Bruce has the spirit of librarianship because he is friendly to everyone and he puts in extra effort with the Special Libraries Association to bring in guest speakers." |
Catherine Baird |
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2006 – Winter – Jason Hammond Jason Hammond came to FIMS after nearly ten years in the Canadian literary non-profit sector. In his first semester, he established the "Lunch Bucket Speaker Series" to bring in publishers and others from outside the library world to speak at FIMS. He also arranged a student reading for Freedom to Read Week and was active in building ties within his cohort in a variety of ways including setting up a Yahoo! Group and organizing a class photo. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about about Jason’s adventures in library school on his blog: http://blog.jason.hammond.net |
Nominees: Whymark J. Austen Laura Banfield Melissa Fraser Jason Hammond Mythili Kaneshalingam Jay Peters Melanie Sellar Roxanne Sutton |
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2005 – Fall – Sophia Apostol Sophia Apostol entered the MLIS after completing her undergraduate in English Literature and taking a year off to manage the English Conversation Program at the University of Western Ontario. During her tenure at FIMS, Sophia participated in two library co-op placements: four months at the University of Guelph and four months with the Ministry of Forests in Victoria, B.C. Upon returning for her last two academic terms, Sophia became involved with the CLA Student Chapter and was the Project Officer for the organization. That position led to the further development and implementation of the Mentorship Program, which connects library school students with information professionals in the workforce. A second mentorship initiative was also begun that matched first-term students with third-termers. Sophia began working part-time for YBP Library Services, an academic monograph vendor, during her last term and is now working for YBP full time as the Canadian Territory Sales Manager. If you have questions about non-traditional job opportunities and wish to talk to Sophia about her experiences, please do not hesitate to contact her at sophia.apostol@gmail.com or visit her blog at: http://infograpevine.blogspot.com/ Sophia is also profiled on the CLA's Info*Nation web site that recruits new librarians. |
Nominees: (partial list) Sophia Apostol James Richards (?) Melanie Sellar |
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2005 – Summer – Bex Blackburn Blurb about me eh? Ha okay - well yup, I'm the one with the name on the wall in the GRC, and since then I've moved from the South to the North of Ontario. I tell ya, I never thought I'd be walking to work in minus forty... let alone learn to love rocks... I live in the City of Greater Sudbury (well, downtown Suds really) and I'm working as the Virtual Librarian for Greater Sudbury Public Library - which is busy, challenging and exciting... in fact pretty darn sweet and fun and everything (so far) that I wanted life as a librarian to be! Guess you can likely tell I pretty much love what I do - and who says librarians aren't passionate people! |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2005 – Winter - Guida da Silva (blurb to come) |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2004 – Fall – Sabina Iseli-Otto Sabina Iseli-Otto’s main concerns are with international trade issues, the commercialization and commodification of public space, and Craig Thompson not publishing enough graphic novels. The bright passion for libraries glows so brightly in her eyes that she is universally exempt from paying library fines. She’s wanted to be a librarian since she was 12, though she took a hiatus to be a both a science student and a bicycle mechanic. Tonight, she cut her thumb while slicing up rhubarb to make pie. She is currently the driving force behind www.librarianactivist.org |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2004 – Summer – Terri Milton Terri Milton hails from Nova Scotia, and arrived at FIMS in May 2004. She had previously worked for 5 years as a Library Technician with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), with prior stints as a teacher and teacher-librarian in the public school system. The MLIS paid off: she received the Margaret Beckman gold medal in June 2005, and is now Campus Librarian at the Akerley Campus, currently the largest campus of NSCC. In her spare time she reads young adult fiction, runs 10Ks and half-marathons, kayaks, and enjoys food and wine of every sort. |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2004 – Winter – Alain Lamothe Alain Lamothe enrolled in the Library and Information Science program after working 13 years at Laurentian University as a Library Assistant. During his second and third semesters, he worked as a Student Assistant in FIMS's Graduate Resource Center. He is currently the Electronic Services Librarian at Laurentian University and a volunteer virtual librarian for the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) in Toronto. |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2003 – Fall – Donald Moses Donald Moses worked in academic libraries for about 7 years before starting his degree. He loved going back to school (but missed his home and wife) and learning with the folks in the MLIS program. While he was at FIMS, he was interested in open source software and how it has the potential of transforming library services and accessibility. He was also interested in how to promote libraries through marketing, graphic design, displays, programming. He won the H.W. Wilson Graduate Scholarship and says, "I had a great time with my classmates when I was at FIMS and they are the reason why I got the Spirit of Librarianship award." One of his lasting legacies was a class christmas card/photo shoot that he organized for faculty and fellow students. In 2006, he organized a 'Western Roundup" of UWO MLIS folks to meet and greet at the regional library conference. He works as a Public and Web Services Librarian at Holland College on PEI and manages the library at the Tourism and Culinary Centre Campus; he is also the Atlantic Provinces Library Association VP for Prince Edward Island. |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2003 – Summer – Chris Sheehy (blurb from the FIMS Graduate Bulletin - August 20, 2003) Master of Library and Information Science student Chris Sheehy has been chosen as the Summer 2003 recipient of the Spirit of Librarianship Award. The award, which is voted on each term by MLIS students, faculty, and FIMS staff, distinguishes Chris as someone others recognize as a friendly face in the program, someone who exemplifies the "spirit of librarianship" in his daily life through his positive and supportive dealings with others. A subcommittee of the MLIS Student Council established the Spirit of Librarianship award last term as a means of acknowledging and celebrating the personal contributions of a student to the Master of Library and Information Science program, outside of academics. According to this term's winner, the award does just that. "The Spirit of Librarianship Award is a great idea," Chris says, "because it fosters a spirit of camaraderie among MLIS students and helps us all realize that there is more to the program than just marks, but helping each other as well." |
(list of nominees still needed) |
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2003 – Winter – Gloria Joy Jouppien (blurb from the FIMS Graduate Bulletin - April 11, 2003) |
(list of nominees still needed) |
