December 18, 2017
Honourable Shaye Anderson
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Executive Branch
Room 132 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Dear Minister Shaye Anderson,
The Alberta Libraries Trustee Association (ALTA) would like to thank the Ministry for the gracious library funding received this past year which has supported and increased public libraries capacity and development across Alberta.
We strongly believe library services are essential to the quality and standard of life for all Albertans and vital to the education, social and cultural development of the province.
This vital funding impacted all public libraries including;
The development of the first Library Trustee Symposium, in partnership with the Public Library Service Branch, to focus on building stronger human resources strategies and best practices for library trustees and the boards in which they serve. The Symposium opens February 23 and 24th, 2018 at the Radisson South in Edmonton, AB. Over 2,000 library trustees were invited and registrations filled in less than 36 hours. This vital event will increase libraries trustees’ capacities, skills and resources to ensure public libraries; are governed effectively, adhere to the Library Act and meet the growing and diverse needs of their communities.
One time funding to support Library System building infrastructures. As you know, many of the buildings are in great need of repairs, and are vital to perform the functions that are defined in the Alberta Libraries Act. These include resource sharing, supporting bibliographic, IT network, quality services and resources in public libraries for all Albertans, especially in rural and remote communities.
ALTA appreciates the continued stable funding grant we receive annually. As the collective voice for library trustees, we enjoy a very collaborative and sustainable partnership with the PLSB which provides a portion of our funding.
We are delighted to welcome the appointment of an indigenous advisor to the PLSB’s dynamic staff team and the additional funding to support Indigenous initiatives. We look forward to the leadership, support, resources and guidance as we navigate into new and exciting uncharted grounds, as libraries explore and embrace the many diverse cultures within our communities.
On behalf of ALTA, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation to you and your family to join us for the 2018 Alberta Library Conference, April 27-29th in Jasper Alberta.
This conference is hosted by both the Alberta Library Trustees Association (“ALTA”) and the Library Association of Alberta (“LAA”). This year the conference theme is” We stand up”, we inspire hope, create change, and empower individuals and groups. We listen, we learn. We stand for human rights, for dignity, and for access to information.
For more information, please take a look at the website http://www.albertalibraryconference.com
Thank you again Minister Anderson, we look forward to another great year as we continue to work together with the support of the Public Library Services Branch to continue a strong tradition of providing some of the best library services in the country!
Wishing you and your staff a joyous and peaceful holiday season and all the very best in 2018!
Warmest regards,
Dr. Tanya Pollard
Vice-President
Alberta Library Trustees Association
Chair, Westlock, Inter-municipal Library Board
