MLA has sent this letter in support of the Librarians, Archivists, Professors, and Instructors represented by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), dated November 17, 2021.
Manitoba Library Association Posts
Letter to CFLA
Posted in Advocacy
MLA wrote this letter to CFLA outlining concerns over CFLA’s lack of consultation with members regarding their support/lack of support for CFLA’s position, dated November 21, 2021.
Kirsten Wurmann and Ashley Huot of the Prison Libraries Committee will be discussing their work with the correctional facilities in Manitoba at the Burlington Literary Festival. Please tune in on November 25, 2021 via Zoom. More information is available here.
On October 22, 2021, the Government of Manitoba announced it will be investing $769,000 to support rural public libraries and library services across the province. Please read the news release here.
Public Health Orders
Posted in COVID-19
Manitoba Library Association has reached out to Manitoba Government Inquiry, and attended an information session on September 10 concerning Enforcement of Public Health Orders for Non-Profit Organizations.
At this time, public libraries are not specifically addressed in the Orders and may open without restrictions. However, masks are required in all public spaces, including public libraries.
Reporting of COVID-19 cases in the workplace still apply to all businesses.
Provincial Health Orders currently do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of exemption for employees or patrons of public libraries. Public library organizations wishing to implement vaccine requirements for patrons or employees may seek to do so through their governance structure.
2020 Annual Report
Posted in Uncategorized
The 2020 Annual Report is now ready for your reading pleasure!
To read previous reports, please go to our AGM page.
Awards
Manitoba Library Association Awards were not distributed in 2021.
Scholarships
Each year the Manitoba Library Association provides scholarships to deserving students. The Scholarship funds are managed by The Winnipeg Foundation with two Awards being given out to one or more recipients. This year, the Association had $19,000 available for the John Edwin Bissett Scholarship and $4,000 for the Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship. In addition, the Association’s Library Technician Division supports the annual Red River College graduation award. More information on our Scholarships is available on our website.
The successful applicants for this year are:
John Edwin Bissett Scholarship:
- Hannah Oudenaar
- Taylor Watkins
- Amber Lamboo
Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship:
- Sarah Lee
Red River College Library & Information Technology Student Award:
- Megan Wehrle
We wish all of these students the best of luck as they continue with their studies this fall!
Thank you to this year’s selection Committee, Kerry Macdonald, Danielle Hubbard, and Ebony Novakowski, for their willingness to serve in this capacity. We appreciate all of your hard work!
Public Health Order
Posted in COVID-19
The Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) recently sent out an email clarifying the Public Health Orders regarding libraries. See below.
Library Community,
In response to enquiries regarding the latest Public Health Act Orders
[1] our department has confirmed that galleries, museums and libraries
are permitted to provide outdoor programming. Please note that the
maximum gathering limits for outdoor public spaces is currently at 25
persons.
Order 29 is intended to refer to facilities which are required to be
closed to the public at this time. Public Health Act Orders are updated
regularly and it is important to keep informed as changes occur [2].
Libraries are advised to work closely with their municipalities to
ensure the safe provision of outdoor services in accordance with Public
Health Act Orders
If you have general questions related to the provision of outdoor
programing and Public Health Act Orders you may contact Manitoba
Government Inquiry [3] by calling 204-945-3744 or 1-866-626-4862
toll-free or email to mgi@gov.mb.ca
Denise Weir
Library Consultant
Public Library Services
Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage
Denise.Weir@gov.mb.ca1-888-841-3326
(Pronouns: she/her)
Letter to Premier Pallister Regarding Continued Closure of Libraries, Museums, and Galleries
Posted in Advocacy
MLA sent this letter to Premier Pallister regarding the continued closure of libraries, museums, and galleries.
To see other letters sent and received by MLA, please go to our Letters and Statements page.
Truth and Reconciliation
Posted in Uncategorized
Those who attended the MLA-SLA Joint Conference two weeks ago had the honour of listening to The Honourable Murray Sinclair give the opening keynote, titled Truth is Hard. Reconciliation is Harder. He recommended specific steps we can all take in our journey of reconciliation, and given the recent discovery of unmarked graves in the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in B.C. and the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan, MLA wanted to share his first recommendation: read the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, or at the very least, the Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. To read the Final Report, please go to the Reports page of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website here. The various volumes and indices are available in PDF. To read the Summary in PDF format, please click here. Also, to anyone who may need it, the phone number for The National Residential School Crisis Line is: 1-866-925-4419.