F15: BC Summer Reading Club Serving First Nations Children and Communities
Session Description
Join our panel of four representatives from three libraries to discuss the successes, challenges and evolution of serving First Nations children and communities through BC SRC. Our panelists believe that First Nations' guidance and participation is essential to building inclusive and respectful SRC programs. They also understand that guidance and participation comes after we have established trusting relationships, after we have learned from our communities, and after we have learned from our successes and mistakes. This process is a journey and we are taking the first steps. Panelists will share their experiences, some joyful and some difficult, and together, we will have an opportunity to learn and expand our journey.
Speakers
Beth Dimond, Prince Rupert Public Library
Biography
Beth Dimond has worked in the Children’s Department of the Prince Rupert Public Library for more than 35 years, and is always thrilled to welcome newcomers, whether two or eighty-two, to the library. Born and raised on the north coast, she feels very fortunate to live and work surrounded by the rich cultural heritage of the Tsimshian, Haida and Nisgaa people. She is excited that this rich heritage is becoming more accessible to the general public, and libraries in particular. Beth is continually looking for ways the library can connect with families and individuals within her community, as well as those living in the outlying communities beyond her city’s harbour.
Ruth Cooper, Hazelton District Public Library
Biography
Ruth Cooper has been with the Hazelton District Public Library, located on unceded Gitxsan territory, for over 25 years. She has been involved with every aspect of library work from watering the plants to serving as Acting Librarian. She currently co-ordinates the Summer Reading Clubs, takes care of the non-fiction collection, co-ordinates the Fostering Literacy Program, and acts as the library’s community literacy liaison. Her passion is patron service in all its diversity.
Laurette Lapalme, Hazelton District Public Library
Biography
Laurette Lapalme belongs to the Witsuwit'en Nation, and has worked for the Hazelton District Public Library off and on since 1988, and has been a steady part of the staff for the last four years. Part of her post-secondary education involved First Nations Library training in tandem with training to become a curator for a First Nations museum. This is of particular note since she had the privilege of traveling to and working with several First Nations organizations all across the province of BC. She has worked in many different fields, but has devoted most of her life to working in the Hazelton area focusing on Culture and Tourism. She is extremely interested in adding to the energy being devoted toward Truth and Reconciliation, and in providing First Nations people a recognized and appreciated part of our local library via the promotion of our special collections.
Wendy Wright, Smithers Public Library
Biography
Wendy Wright serves as Director of the Smithers Public Library on the unceded territory of the Witsuwit’en Nation in northwestern BC, and as a Director-at-Large on the BCLA Board. Wendy has always loved connecting people with stories, ideas, and information in various formats and enjoys creating dynamic opportunities for people to learn from one another.
In 2017 the Smithers Public Library was honoured with the British Columbia Library Association’s inaugural Building Better Communities Award for its work around local National Aboriginal Day celebrations. In 2018 the Library’s Board received the Super Trustees Award from the British Columbia Library Trustees Association for empowering the library to advance reconciliation in its community through policies, programs, events, and collections.