Ken Roberts, City Librarian of the Hamilton Public Library, Commences His Term as President of the Canadian Library Association/ Association canadienne des bibliothèques

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa, May 29, 2008) Ken Roberts, City Librarian of the Hamilton Public Library, assumed his presidency of the Canadian Library Association/ Association canadienne des bibliothèques at the 2008 CLA/ACB National Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 24.

As City Librarian of HPL, Ken Roberts brings vast experience to his new role at CLA/ACB. HPL serves the newly amalgamated City of Hamilton and the new library system is the recipient of numerous awards for the way it has handled its amalgamation. The library system was a co-recipient of the 2002 Ontario Library Association’s President’s Exceptional Achievement Award. Ken himself won the 2001 Canadian Association of Public Libraries Outstanding Service Award.

Prior to amalgamation Ken had been seconded from his normal position as Chief Librarian of the former Hamilton Public Library to act as the City of Hamilton’s Director of Information Technologies (1999- 2000). Ken created the city’s first City of Hamilton IT Strategic Plan. In 2000, Ken was responsible for unifying all municipal and regional and library computer systems as part of the City’s amalgamation process.

Ken was the co-director of the myhamilton.ca portal site launched in the Fall of 2005. The site provides some stunning capabilities. The Hamilton Public Library was one of five recipient of the 2006 Sirsi/Dynix Building Better Communities Award for its portal involvement. In July, the Hamilton Public Library also won a 2006 Digital Pioneer Award.

In previous incarnations, Ken has been Storyteller-in-Residence for the Vancouver School Board, Games Master for the World Improvisation Championships (1986), a winner of a CanPro Award for television writing, and a nominee for the Christie Book Award, the Canadian Children’s Book of the Year Award, and the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. His children’s book, The Thumb In The Box, received a starred review in The Horn Book. The newly published sequel Thumb on a Diamond also received a starred review.

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.   Comprehensive information about the CLA/ACB and its programs and services is available on the CLA web site: www.cla.ca.

Media Contact: Judy Green, (613) 232-9625 ext 322 or jgreen@cla.ca