GVPL welcomes its new CEO – Maureen Sawa
For Immediate Release
Victoria, BC, August 3, 2010 – Greater Victoria Public Library Board Chair Paul Gerrard is pleased to announce that Maureen Sawa has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Victoria Public Library effective October 12, 2010.
He describes Maureen Sawa as a very confident and dynamic person who was a unanimous choice of the CEO Selection Committee.
“As Director of Public Service and Community Development at the Hamilton Public Library, Maureen directed and managed a large Central Library renovation project involving multiple stakeholders, and a new multi-use facility which included a new library, YMCA recreation centre and Hamilton Police Services centre.
Maureen possesses excellent library skills, has developed programs for children and youth in the Hamilton and Kitchener library systems, and has an extensive background in community development, marketing and communications. We are pleased to welcome her to the GVPL team.”
In addition, Maureen has directed Hamilton Public Library’s innovative and award-winning “One Book, One City” programs. She has also overseen the development of numerous service enhancements in Hamilton, working with municipal and community stakeholders on multiple projects, including the library’s community portal project, myhamilton.ca.
Maureen’s career in public libraries began at an early age as a student page. She worked for several years at the Kitchener Public Library where she developed ground-breaking service initiatives and community partnerships. Her “Library Links for Life” program received international recognition. An accomplished presenter and library leader, Maureen looks forward to working at GVPL:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Greater Victoria Public Library system. It is clear that the board and staff share my passion for innovative library service. These are exciting times for public libraries and especially so here in the Greater Victoria area, such a wonderful place to live and learn. The Library’s Facilities Plan ‘Making Space for the Future’ is superb and I am looking forward to working with our partners to meet the needs of all our communities.”
A long-time supporter of children’s and family literacy, Maureen is a recipient of the Ontario Library Association’s “Children’s Librarian of the Year” Award, a past President of the Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians and has just completed her term as a member of the Board of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. She is currently serving on the executive of the Canadian Association of Public Libraries. She is also a successful children’s author, having co-written her first book, “CarSmarts: Hot Tips for the Car Crazy” with Phil Edmonston (the creator of the “Lemon-Aid” car guides). Her second book, “The Library Book”, was nominated for the 2006 Orbis Pictus award. Copies of both books are available at GVPL.
Board chair Paul Gerrard would like to express thanks to Lee Teal for her dedication and leadership as Interim CEO for the past few months, acknowledging that “Ms Teal was instrumental in assisting the GVPL Board with the recruitment of a new CEO.”
Media Contact:
Adrienne Wass
Manager, Community Development
Greater Victoria Public Library
735 Broughton Street Victoria, BC V8W 3H2
Tel: (250) 413-0370
Mobile: (250) 858-0319
Email: awass@gvpl.ca