Remembering Maureen Woods


On Friday April the 12th the Saskatchewan Library Association, in a deeply personal ceremony, presented Maureen Woods with the Frances Morrison Award of merit for outstanding service to libraries. Maureen was surrounded by her family and closest friends. The Award reflects a body of work focused in Western Canada but impacted an entire country.

Twenty-four hours later we lost a valued colleague, a woman dedicated to library development, and a true Library Champion! Maureen Woods died April 13, 2013




 A life spent breaking new ground and doing things in her own way.
She challenged governments and challenged all of us to stand up for libraries.
She took the woman out of Saskatchewan but never Saskatchewan out of the woman.
One of her many legacies for us will be how she lived by the principles of community development.
Her words "Listen to the Folks" will stay with us forever.


Our prayers and love are with her as she is called to a new development project...

Thank you to "Moe's" family and friends for sharing her with the rest of us.





 

Popular posts from this blog

Snakes and Ladders: Reflecting on the need for careful and critical dialogue in the recreation sector

Today's blog is one written by a young professional in the Recreation Sector and expresses some of her very personal feelings & insights and some learnings. If you have reactions or thoughts you would like to share please use the Comment section.  Lisa Tink is a courageous young professional from Alberta who blends diverse experience in research, policy and practice with a take no prisoners’ attitude.  Having worked in the provincial government, not-for-profit sector and with post-secondary institutions she is highly skilled and knowledgeable about all things recreation.  Lisa is passionate about bringing theory and policy to life and recognizes the value and role of relationships in doing so. "As a 31 year old, I regularly seek career advice. After only 11 years in the sector it is a way for me to learn from those who have done more, seen more, and know more. It is also a way for me to connect with individuals who share a passion for recreation, w
Read more

Krishan C. Joshee - He Served the Community Well

Image
Krishan C. Joshee, C.M. Passed away peacefully February 25, 2014 "A remarkable visionary and recipient of the Order of Canada, Krishan Joshee has greatly helped shape the volunteer spirit of Alberta. He has always championed those most in need of government and community support, and in doing so is highly respected as one of Alberta’s truly great ambassadors - provincially, nationally and internationally. He is a founding member of the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace, and served as a chair of the foundation’s advisory council for many years. He was also a founding member of the Edmonton Heritage Festival. Along with other numerous appointments, Mr. Joshee served as the Chairman of the Alberta Gaming Commission and the former Wild Rose Foundation, as well as a member of the Edmonton Police Commission and the Canadian Commission on Race Relations. Through all of his work, Mr. Joshee continues to be a model for commitment to community and engaged citizenship
Read more

The Three Wise Women and Libraries

Image
In the early 2000's, unknown to most library folks in Alberta, secret meetings were being held. None of the participants was sworn to secrecy but everyone knew that what was happening was not an approved way of operating for a public servant. I was the "Library Guy" (Stan Woloshyn)  Alberta Public Library Service (1996-2009) A former President of the Alberta Library Trustees Association called to ask me if I was interested in having tea with a small group that was interested in public libraries. I was very interested because during this President's term with the Trustees Association we had had a super working relationship, accomplishing a great deal and building a very good working relationship with Trustees across the Province. I was quite intrigued by the request and any help we could get with supporting libraries would be welcome. After agreeing to meet I was given the date, time and told the gathering would be in a restaurant in St. Albert. On the appo
Read more