ABOUT THE AWARD
The Alberta Library Trustees Association (ALTA) Board of Directors established the Lois Hole Life Membership Award to recognize Albertans who have made a significant contribution to libraries and library trusteeship. The Board of Directors reserves the right to determine how many Lois Hole Life Memberships, if any, are to be awarded each year. The Alberta Library Trustees Association established the Lois Hole Award in 2001 in honour of the passion that our Lieutenant-Governor had for the role libraries play in our society and in gratitude for her support for libraries in Alberta. The successful candidate(s) will be notified and be given the choice of where they would like the award presented to them.
GUIDELINES
- Nominations for Lois Hole Life membership may be made by the Board of the Alberta Library Trustees Association or by any member board in good standing with the Alberta Library Trustees Association.
- Notices requesting nominations for Honorary Life Membership shall be sent to member library boards after the fall meeting of the ALTA Board.
- Trustees currently sitting on the ALTA Board of Directors are not eligible.
- The nominee does not have to be serving as a trustee at the time of the nomination.
- Completed nomination forms shall be accompanied by a résumé of the nominee’s career and assessment of his/her contributions to the library community.
- Winners will be selected from nominations received by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Alberta Library Trustees Association.
CRITERIA In general, persons eligible should have:
- provided leadership in the library community;
- served as trustees in public libraries or public library systems in the province, or made a significant contribution to the library community; and
- served libraries in capacities beyond their local library or system board.
In particular, persons eligible may have achieved one or more of the following:
- fulfilled offices in the Alberta Library Trustees Association;
- contributed to the organization of the Alberta Library Conference;
- served exceptionally long terms in library trusteeship;
- provided leadership in the establishment of new libraries and library systems;
- participated in major innovations in library management and operation;
- served in a recognized provincial or national library related organization;
- promoted literacy;
- contributed significantly to trustee education; and/or
- have made significant contributions to the literature which supports the efficiency, management and growth of the library community.
Winner of 2019 Lois Hole Lifetime Achievement Award
Marilyn King
The Alberta Library Trustees’ Association is delighted to present the Lois Hole Lifetime Achievement Award to Marilyn King for her service as both Secretary and Chair of nine years. Marilyn has been regarded as a model library advocate and mentor for all who know her; she is a wellspring of energy, enthusiasm and stamina for both the library in Chestermere and for all libraries in Alberta.
- Long time Board Vice-Chair, Lennox Gomes, says “the amount of time she devotes to the Library and local community is beyond measure; volunteering her time on various committees and is always the first to volunteer at events organized by the library.”
- Described by Board Trustee Luella Gaultier as “caring, dedicated, committed, energetic and community minded”, and “shows no signs of slowing down soon“.
- Laura Taylor, Deputy CEO of the Marigold Library System writes about Marilyn’s nomination, “Marilyn is a strong advocate for the betterment of public libraries in Alberta. She cares about the future of public libraries, this was clear during her seven years as the City of Chestermere representative on the Marigold Library Board and her involvement on the Governance Committee of the Marigold Board.”
- 2019 Board Chair Judy Tidlund adds that Marilyn’s “mentorship to new Trustees is highly regarded and appreciated. Networking, understanding the community’s needs and energetic advocacy have established the Library in the community’s minds.”
- Michelle Toombs, CEO of Marigold, mentions: “She was an active participant and contributor to Board discussions and always wore the Marigold Board hat during those meetings. She assisted with the regular review and updating of the 180-page Board manual, consisting of 100 policies and plans. Included in these documents are policies for our six ‘branch’ libraries located in unincorporated communities. She has been consistently supportive of arigold because she understands that Chestermere Library’s and Marigold’s goals are aligned.
This list of supporters for Marilyn’s acheivements and dedication goes on. It then summed up by her nominaters with; “Thank you, Marilyn, for everything.” We here at ALTA could not be more proud! We hope this award will help show your work has not gone unnoticed.
Past Award Winners
2017: Diane Osberg
2016: Dwight Nagel, Alix Library Board
2014: Gary Beeson, Swan Hills Library
