It has been an exciting year at UBC Library, and I am pleased to share a few highlights with you. Much of our work provides us with an opportunity to connect, learn and grow with our users and community partners. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment.
The Library continues to advance in the digital world, thanks to the digitization of several important collections. In the spring, the Irving K. Barber learning Centre announced a grant for the B.C. Aboriginal Audio Digitization and Preservation Program, an important initiative that assists B.C. Indigenous organizations in converting audio cassette tapes for preservation and access. On the opposite end of the spectrum is one of the oldest items in our collection, a medieval manuscript book recently acquired by the Library that provides research and learning opportunities for students and scholars.
Changing campus needs regarding teaching and learning guide the direction of UBC Library, and it was with great excitement that we partnered with the Faculty of Education to launch UBC’s first LOOC. Other changing user needs informed decisions to consolidate services into one-stop service points, as well as renovate key spaces in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.
Recognizing the achievements of researchers, scholars and community members brings us great satisfaction, and so I was pleased this year to present the inaugural winner of the Basil Stuart-Stubbs Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Book on B.C. The Library also awarded the fourth annual UBC Library Innovative Dissemination of Research Award, and four students received GSS cIRcle Open Scholar Awards.
It was a busy year for the Library’s community involvement, both at the local and international level. I was honoured to have served as the first Canadian president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). My presidency, which concluded this year, provided me with an opportunity to showcase UBC and Canadian accomplishments to the world, and to bring international learnings back to the campus. We were happy to host the 2013 Pacific Rim Digital Library Alliance Annual Meeting at UBC Library, and welcome several international visitors throughout the year, including City University (London), Copenhagen Business School and Shanghai Municipal Archives.
I was appreciative of the opportunity to host a book and film launch in celebration of the Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung Collection, and to recognize one of our most generous supporters. This exceptional collection is one example of the extraordinary resources available to Library users and community partners.
Finally, UBC Library once again partnered with the UBC Alma Mater Society to deliver the 11th annual Food For Fines Campaign. The program raises funds for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and UBC’s AMS Food Bank to support disadvantaged members of the community. I am grateful for the continued generosity of Library users in supporting this important program.
Best wishes to you throughout the holiday season, and a very Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Ingrid Parent
University Librarian
University of British Columbia