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CLAO Awards

Time to blow the horn for great ideas, good work and good sense in church libraries!

AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS
– WINNERS OF THE 2008 CLAO AWARDS

The ANITA DALTON AWARD is presented by the CLAO Executive to a member who has contributed significantly to CLAO. Our winner this year BRENDA KELLY of Harcourt Memorial United Church began her contributions in 1997 with a Library Lines book review. That same year she helped host the Spring Conference at her church. She became a CLAO Executive Member in 1999, and in turn became Conference Co-ordinator, Membership Secretary, Vice-President, President, and Past President, completing her service on the Executive in 2007. She has continued to provide helpful advice, when approached, as she has a wealth of background history. Brenda worked diligently, along with others, on CLAO bylaws. Timelines, drawn up by Brenda, help us carry out responsibilities in an orderly fashion. She has continued to submit interesting book reviews for both children and adults and conduct well-attended workshops at many Conferences, where her experience as a teacher guarantees excellent presentations.

Past President Shirley Burhoe with Brenda and George Kelly

The DOROTHY HENDERSON AWARD for service on CLAO Executive was presented to GEORGE KELLY of Harcourt Memorial Church Library, Guelph. George became part of CLAO Executive in 2001, and later became Treasurer, carrying that position till 2005.He set a model of excellence in his work as Treasurer. As very organized individuals, he and his wife Brenda became co-ordinators of all CLAO mailings: noting which extra pieces were to be included with each mailing; preparing material for duplication, stuffing envelopes, stamping and mailing each issue.

Past President Shirley Burhoe presenting the Emma Austin Award to Lynn LaBranche

The EMMA AUSTIN AWARD for excellence in ministry in an individual library- and beyond. LYNN La BRANCHE of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh, near Windsor, began at her Church Library in 1998, when the circulation was 20 items each Sunday. It has built up to over 100 each Sunday. In November 2008 she moved the Library to a much larger and attractive location within the church – a move she longed for over a period of time. In addition, she started, and is now Leader, of a group of church librarians in Windsor and Essex County - The Windsor Essex Church Library Association. 35 different church libraries now receive a newsletter and invitation to the meetings held twice a year. They are always well attended. This alone is a remarkable achievement. Lynn served on the CLAO Executive for 3 years until distance reluctantly forced her to leave. She has given popular workshops at several CLAO Conferences.

Past President Shirley Burhoe presenting the Jean Van Esh Award to Marty Ragetlie

The JEAN VAN ESCH AWARD for excellence in service to a church library was presented to MARTY RAGETLIE of Harcourt Memorial United Church in Guelph. Marty has served on the Church Library Committee for more than 15 years. She does outstanding work as the person in charge of Overdue Loans. She works quietly in the background, but diligently tracks down missing items. She is the Library statistician, tracking the number of items borrowed in various categories, and regularly takes a turn as Secretary of the Library.Committee.

Anne Kelly

The ELSIE RIVA AWARD for marketing a church library was given to ANNE KELLY of the Wilfrid Laurier University. To assist church librarians Anne’s Computer Corner articles in Library Lines began in 2000 and continued into 2008. In 2003, with a change in Library Lines Editors, Anne did the formatting of many issues. While carrying a demanding full-time job, she also conducted several popular computer workshops at CLAO Conferences. All these contributions have helped many to promote their church libraries.

The NETTIE FRIESEN AWARD for best book review in Church Library-related publication was presented to DR. LAWRENCE OGDEN, Burlington Baptist Church, Burlington. This AWARD, presented for the first time, was for the best book review of 2008. June Wilson Thexton, editor of LIBRARY LINES, chose his well written reviews of books in the area of Science and Religion, which were printed in LIBRARY LINES.

The NETTIE FRIESEN AWARD for a published article for Church Related Publication was given to SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE for her 2008 article on Church Libraries in Faith Today magazine. Sheila did research, not only about CLAO but also the Church Library Association of British Columbia (CLABC).She has been a supporter of CLAO for many years now and has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader at past Conferences.

 

AWARD WINNERS — SOME NOTES OF THANKS

I was so pleased to receive the Emma Austin award for excellence in ministry from CLAO at our last conference. It's wonderful to have some recognition for all the volunteer work a librarian does. Thanks very much - I appreciate it!!!

— Lynn LaBranche

While I had already surmised that there was to be a presentation for Brenda, I did not anticipate what followed at the Spring Conference in early May. I wondered why Shirley Burhoe asked Brenda to stay on stage. When Shirley announced the Dorothy Henderson award was to be presented to me I was astonished. Being Treasurer was being part of the Executive team that did what was expected of them - I had not considered it to be special. This recognition by CLAO is much appreciated. I wish to thank the CLAO for this honour and wish it well in the future.

— George Kelly


It was a great shock to hear my name called at the spring conference of CLAO last month. The Library Committee of Harcourt Church had nominated one of our long-time volunteers, Marty Ragetlie, for an award, and I was intent on her surprise and pleasure at being so honoured. You can imagine my surprise when my name was called, and I was given the Anita Dalton Award for service to CLAO. The award hangs in a place of honour over my piano- as does that of my husband, George Kelly, who was awarded the Dorothy Henderson Award for his years as treasurer of CLAO. To add to the excitement, our daughter, Anne Kelly, was given an award in recognition of her years of service as webmaster of CLAO. My thanks go to the Association for honouring us, and to Brodart for donating the beautiful plaque.

— Brenda Kelly

Executive and Members,
I was both very surprised and deeply honoured to receive this years Elsie Riva Award from such a wonderful organization. It was unfortunate that I could not be there in person to accept the award, but I happened to be in Albuquerque, New Mexico presenting at the International Conference for Library Instruction (LOEX 2009), on my use of social bookmarking software and its application to teacher education candidates access to library resources. Your recognition of my enthusiasm in promoting and marketing both the association itself, and church library collections in general is greatly appreciated. During my more than 10 year association with CLAO, I've met many of you at publicity and marketing workshops at the conferences, and learned volumes as the technical editor for Library Lines for a number of years. I thank you sincerely for this award, and encourage others to participate and share: your ideas are valuable to everyone you share them with.

— Anne Kelly

Brodart
CLAO wishes to thank BRODART LIBRARY SUPPLIES for once again donating the plaque for the ANITA DALTON, EMMA AUSTIN and JEAN VAN ESCH AWARDS.

 

KNOW SOMEONE TO NOMINATE

We all know Church Librarians who have done good work. Let us know about their efforts so we can recognize their achievements. Award winners need not be Church Librarians, but realize the importance of Church Libraries and provide ideas and encouragement to those who work with them. Read  more  >>

Deadline for 2009 has passed
but we will continue to accept
nominations for next year.

Send your submission,
(with name of librarian and
church name) to:

Alison McCullough


Telephone: 905-433-3878

We'd be delighted to inform your local church of your accomplishment.

2009 winner to be awarded at the spring conference

Welcome visitor number Last updated: March 1, 2010