BC Public Library Directors’ Award of Excellence

This award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a public library director who is a member of the ABCPLD. It’s presented once a year to recognize a member who has gone above and beyond advocating, innovating, and/or contributing to their local or provincial library community. What makes this award particularly special is that it represents the recognition of your peers - other Library Directors across the Province.

Past Winners

2023 Elizabeth Tracy, (former) Whistler Public Library

2022 Julie Spurrell, New Westminster Public Library (retired)

2021 Taylor Caron, Salmo Valley Public Library

2020 Maureen Sawa, Greater Victoria Public Library

2019 Jenny Benedict, West Vancouver Memorial Library

2016 Jane Watkins, North Vancouver City Library

2014 Sandra Singh, Vancouver Public Library

2013 Greg Buss, Richmond Public Library

2012 Emma Dressler, Fernie Heritage Library

2011 Beth Barlow, Surrey Public Library

2010 Paul Whitney, Vancouver Public Library

2009 Edel Toner-Rogala, Burnaby Public Library

2008 Sheila Pfeifer, Lillooet Library Association

Selection Criteria

Recipients will be selected on the basis of outstanding accomplishments which have benefitted the library profession and responded to community need. The recipient must either currently be a library director of a library in BC or retired in the last calendar year. The preferred recipient will have been active in provincial or other professional associations. Specific examples of work are requested for each nominations as supporting documentation.

Current members of the ABCPLD executive are exempt from receiving the award.

Procedure and Decision Process

Nominations will be called for annually in the spring. The selection committee will consist of the Chair and the Mentorship Team. The award consists of a plaque for the library director, as well as an announcement to be shared over email, social media, and on the ABCPLD website (along with any media the library director would like to include). The recipient will be honoured at the ABCPLD Annual General Meeting.