Allan Wilson named 2011 recipient of CLA/Ken Haycock Award
For Immediate Release
(Ottawa, April 18, 2011) Allan Wilson, Chief Librarian, Prince George
Public Library, has been named 2011 recipient of the CLA/Ken Haycock
Award for Promoting Librarianship. This award honours individuals who
have demonstrated exceptional success in enhancing public recognition
and appreciation of librarianship. Wilson's inclusive, dynamic approach
to raising the awareness of libraries and promoting their value -
especially in northern British Columbia - placed him first in a pool of
exceptional candidates for this year's award.
As Prince Rupert's Chief Librarian, Wilson proposed the development
of a waterfront library and archives, and accompanying "bookboat," which
promoted the novel idea of taking books and online resources to outlying
First Nations communities. To engender civic interest and involvement in
the proposal, Wilson created an award-winning website (now archived at
http://web.archive.org/web/*/bookboat.com).
He also designed "bookboat" floats for Prince Rupert's annual Seafest
parade, performed skits at the local fringe festival and organized
community exhibitions. Recognizing that 6'1" frame might intimidate
children, Wilson even polished up his juggling skills to help them feel
comfortable and enthused about the library. For this he has been dubbed
"The Juggling Librarian."
Wilson's collaborative approach inspired commitment to the book boat
project at local, regional and international levels. Within three years
of its inception, the City of Prince Rupert unanimously approved a bylaw
to establish a book boat fundraising account. Renowned American
architect John Rattenbury offered to design the building, and Cisco
Systems expressed interest in sponsoring it.
Although the project did not go ahead, Wilson's grassroots vision and
legacy remains. For example, after he had consulted with local First
Nations, Wilson commissioned a local Tsimshian artist to create a
halibut-themed library card representing the North Coast. These First
Nations ties even spawned a new word in Sm'algyax, the language of the
Tsimshian Nation; the word is "Wap Liitsx" - meaning "House of Reading."
According to one newspaper account, under Wilson's leadership, the
Prince Rupert Public Library was transformed into "an interactive,
living part of the community."
In his current role as Chief Librarian in Prince George, one way
Wilson continues his efforts to engender community love for libraries is
through mentoring others. At the Prince George Public Library, he
created LEEP (Library Employee Education Program), which funds library
science education for staff. In addition, over the past two decades
Wilson has encouraged more than two dozen students, staff and board
members to pursue studies in library science, and has mentored many
more.
CLA/Ken Haycock Award committee chair Melanie Boyd says, "This award
is intended to recognize activities that exceed those typically
performed by librarians, no matter how meritorious. The committee
unanimously agreed that Mr. Wilson's contributions go 'above and
beyond', and epitomize what this award represents."
Wilson graduated from Brock University with a double major Honours
Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Slavic Studies, and Russian and
German literature. From the University of Toronto, he earned a Master of
Library Science and a PhD in Soviet classification systems. Wilson has
taught at the Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology and the
Northwest Community College in Prince Rupert. At the University of
Northern British Columbia he has taught Russian Imperial History. Wilson
has spoken widely at CLA, the joint CLA/ALA conference and BCLA.
The CLA/Haycock Award, comprising a cheque for $1,000 and a handsome
plaque, will be presented to Mr. Wilson on May 28 at the 2011 CLA
National Conference and Trade Show in Halifax. The award is jointly
funded by the Canadian Library Association and past CLA president, Ken
Haycock.
The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des
bibliothèques is Canada's largest national and broad-based library
association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and
special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all
those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through
information and literacy.
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Media Contact: Melanie Boyd, CLA/Haycock Award Committee Chair
maboyd@ucalgary.ca
Phone: (403) 220.3128
