2012 Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award Announced by the Canadian Library Association
(Ottawa, April 20, 2012) – The Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques is pleased to announce that the 2012 CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award is being presented to Ken Roberts of Hamilton Public Library. The CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award is generously sponsored by ProQuest.
Ken Roberts has had a remarkable impact on Canadian libraries through his career in public libraries across the country, from Lethbridge, Alberta and Richmond, British Columbia to Whitby and Hamilton in Ontario. As well as being one of Canada’s great leaders in the realm of public libraries, serving, for example, in multiple terms as Chair of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, Ken has served the profession in major leadership roles including President of the Canadian Library Association and President of the Ontario Library Association.
Ken supports the next generation of the profession as a mentor for the Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute and by developing the Public Library Leadership Fellowship programme through the University of Toronto’s ISchool.
As one of the nominators said of him, Ken thinks globally and acts locally: “his ability to synthesize complex thoughts and communicate them so clearly to any audience is one of his most remarkable attributes. His passion, authority and conviction are apparent to all listeners, whether they are a group of city councilors or a class of preschoolers. It is this ability to ‘tell a story’ that resonates so well with everyone who comes in contact with him – even the most unaware citizen will become convinced of the value of public libraries and librarians after listening to Ken.”
Ken is a renowned author of children’s books and is in high demand as a public speaker at professional conferences across North America. He has received numerous awards during his career as a children’s librarian, educator, and administrator. Another of his supporters said “what stands out for me with Ken is that, in spite of all his accomplishments, he is a librarian first and foremost and a humble man.”
The CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award will be presented at the CLA Closing Ceremonies, to be held Saturday, June 2nd during the CLA 2012 National Conference in Ottawa.
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.