Amazing People. Amazing Weekend. LIBIT Reunites in a Big Way.

Since the program's 25th anniversary, 5 years ago, the Library Tech department has wanted to celebrate this achievement.  Really celebrate. With the introduction of a properly funded Alumni Relations office, we were finally able to dream big.  Members of the LIBIT department know, on a personal level, how life-changing our program really is because we are ALL alumni of the program!  We were delighted to have the opportunity to share the accomplishments of our alumni and our program in a heartfelt way.

We wanted to offer attendees a chance to socialize but we also wanted to provide some professional development opportunities.  The increasing expectations for most library technicians gave us inspiration to present workshops and team building activities that centred on leadership.  The remarkable changes to UFV infrastructure was inspiration for offering campus tours, too!

The picture to your right is a snapshot of our wine and cheese reception on the Friday night in the library foyer.  Guest speakers included:  Provost and Vice President Academic, Eric Davis, President of the Alumni Association, Tony Luck, LIBIT Alum Julia Vanberkel and Terry Lynne Stone, storyteller and Member of the UFV Board. 

Geocaching Adventure at Aldergrove Lake

Our goal, that evening, was to pay homage to our ambassadors - our program grads.  It was a delight to exchange "hellos", reconnect, share stories and laugh, all while enjoying a glass of wine and some lovely food.

Bright and early the next morning, a group of alumni gathered at Aldergrove Lake for their Guided Discovery adventure.  It was a riot!  We hunted for lost treasure while competing (in a friendly way, of course) to solve a mystery using teams equipped with a GPS.  Geocacher Jones (front right) was there to lead the way.

Leading With Story

Others, that morning, attended a workshop with Margaret Read MacDonald, accomplished scholar and folklorist,  where participants practiced and participated in "Leading with Story".  Of course, there is nothing like finishing off a busy day with a nice and informal dinner  where some of the rowdiest attendees were current and former LIBIT faculty and staff.

President's Breakfast

On Sunday, the President of UFV, Mark Evered, hosted a lovely breakfast.  He shared with us his views on the importance of information studies, its connection to learning as well as the exciting activities and ambitions of UFV. Of course, he could not help but share our pride in UFV being noted as providing the best undergraduate education in Canada for a school of our size (for the 4th year running).  


The value of alumni was reinforced on many occasions during the weekend and the message was sincere.  Our LIBIT alumni have a profound impact within their communities.  Lisa Morry, for example, is a grad of the program who has worked with the First Nations community of Chilliwack to produce a display depicting the legacy of Residential Schools. As reported in the Chilliwack Progress, her contribution is part of  the first steps in exploring the trauma of these schools.

With dozens of guests the weekend was a huge success, for the Library and Information Technology department, Alumni Relations Office, UFV, and all of our wonderful graduates and current students. A special thanks goes to Alumni Services and all of our dedicated volunteers for the huge effort they made in pulling off this event.

Some of us celebrating at the Phoenix Lounge for a friendly dinner.

Credentialling the Uncredentialled

According to the ALA's Standards for Accreditation of Master's Programs in Library and Information Studies, "Accreditation serves as a mechanism for quality assessment and quality enhancement with quality defined as the effective utilization of resources to achieve appropriate educational objectives and student learning outcomes." *

This got me thinking...(a risky business, to be sure).

I have been mulling over the current state of library technicians in terms of their standing in the field and the recognition (and often, lack of recognition) their qualifications garner. They are a large (and increasing) component of the library/information management workforce. In addition, the role of techs, like many other "para" professionals, has evolved over the last 30 years, with many positions becoming increasingly complex. Yet, in some long-standing organizations, their positions have been treated as nothing more than clerical in nature or in compensation.

There are other issues to consider, as well. For example, lifelong learning is a belief that is fully embraced by the profession and yet many technicians need more support and encouragement for upgrading their skills and knowledge. Additionally, there is an undercurrent of tension in the field between the role of technicians and full-fledged librarians. On yet another front, other professions that credential their members can find it difficult to understand how our field recognizes "professionalism" without accreditation.

Although a lack of certification does not mean that we can not perform our jobs (of course we can), it does offer some advantages that are worth consideration. Formal accreditation could:

- help to establish a foundation of professional competencies and expertise
- provide a consistent understanding of core skills through this baseline knowledge
- assist in clarifying the roles of technicians within the context of information work
- provide technicians with a clear need to engage in continuing education (and thereby get more financial support)
- help those who work with technicians but may belong to other professions identify with professional expectations that emerge from credentialling standards
- improve pay for technicians who are currently classified as "clerks" by demonstrating a highly specialized knowledge in their field (i.e. it is not a job that can be done by just anyone).

From the perspective of library techncian programs, meeting accreditation standards could be stressful. What if a program does not "measure up"? My experience suggests that the connotation tied to not meeting accreditation standards can help programs present a stronger case for securing funding and support from their parent institutions. For post-secondary institutions, losing accreditation is one of the most undesirable outcomes of a review. Quite simply, it is bad press. Thus, accreditation can not only assist in streamlining standards of education, it also has the potential to build more responsive and resilient programs.

These are just some possibilities worth further examination and discussion. The biggest drawback may be creating such a program. Credentialling library technicians needs to be an initiative embraced by those in the field. Certainly, Canada is well positioned to make this process a reality as we have a limited number of programs to coordinate.

It is an issue that warrants serious consideration. In 2011, I plan to tackle this topic more fully during my sabbatical. In the meantime, I encourage technicians to think about this option, talk about it with others, and voice their opinions.


Council of the American Library Association. (Jan. 2008). Standards for Accreditation of Master's Programs in Library and Information Studies.

An Ode to Our Founder

Pat Sifton was highly influential in the development of UFV's Library and Information Technology Program. She single-handedly developed and taught the program for most of her tenure. For many years, the responsibility of teaching fell entirely on her shoulders and it is astounding how one woman, with very limited resources, was able to shape a program that continues to produce extremely relevant graduates 29 years after its creation. After a brief illness, Pat passed away this July.

On the October 2nd weekend of 2010, we are planning a large 30 year reunion for all of our LIBIT alumni. It was our hope to pay tribute to Pat Sifton at this event. It is with great sadness that we shall not be able to do this in her presence. After consultation with her family, it was decided that the fledgling LIBIT Leadership Award will be renamed in honour of Pat Sifton. The award, which currently sits at about 9,000 dollars is in need of at least 3,500 more in order for it to be self-sustaining as an annual award. As monthly contributors to building the endowment, the LIBIT faculty hope that, with additional support, we will be able to proudly grant this award in 2010 to a LIBIT student.

It is the very least we can do for our founder, mentor, colleague, and friend.


Anyone interested in assisting can visit UFV Giving - Pat Sifton Endowment Leadership Award