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
Showing posts with label libtech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libtech. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thursday, November 6, 2008
In the Beginning....
As I venture into the blog scene, I wonder where it will take me. My hope was to create a place where LIBIT alumni and students could share their ideas. There is so much going on in the world of information - so much that most of us are unable to really keep up. However, we wouldn't be library folk if we didn't try!
So, as I sit in the semi-darkness, thinking about my career, my education, and my fantasy of winning the 649, I also wonder about the future of libraries. A colleague that worked for OCLC recently informed me that 69% of people surveyed from around the world picture books when they hear the word "library". Yet, are we not trying to brand ourselves as technologists, computer savvy and web friendly. Hmmmm....
I think we need to look at technology from a new angle. We have let it overtake most aspects of our lives yet we don't really kick back and think about the implications its influence has over our culture, our habits, our work, our environment, and even our education. Most people I talk with (and I don't just mean students) complain that they are "swamped", "run off their feet", "overwhelmed", and just plain "exhausted".
If we are so busy, where do we find time to enjoy a good read? Enjoy a good play? Conversations with friends over a glass of wine? I suspect many of us don't get enough of that richness that makes life something to savour. I know I feel constantly frustrated that I can't keep up, while wishing I could sink my soul into a delicious novel. It is a constant battle. A good friend of mine says that IT people refer to it as "change fatigue". I really like this term. If only I could put it to good use.
Where does this leave libraries, museums and, even, archives? We leave so little time for reflection and exploration. Are these institutions immune to our growing distractions? I fear that I have more questions than answers!
So, as I sit in the semi-darkness, thinking about my career, my education, and my fantasy of winning the 649, I also wonder about the future of libraries. A colleague that worked for OCLC recently informed me that 69% of people surveyed from around the world picture books when they hear the word "library". Yet, are we not trying to brand ourselves as technologists, computer savvy and web friendly. Hmmmm....
I think we need to look at technology from a new angle. We have let it overtake most aspects of our lives yet we don't really kick back and think about the implications its influence has over our culture, our habits, our work, our environment, and even our education. Most people I talk with (and I don't just mean students) complain that they are "swamped", "run off their feet", "overwhelmed", and just plain "exhausted".
If we are so busy, where do we find time to enjoy a good read? Enjoy a good play? Conversations with friends over a glass of wine? I suspect many of us don't get enough of that richness that makes life something to savour. I know I feel constantly frustrated that I can't keep up, while wishing I could sink my soul into a delicious novel. It is a constant battle. A good friend of mine says that IT people refer to it as "change fatigue". I really like this term. If only I could put it to good use.
Where does this leave libraries, museums and, even, archives? We leave so little time for reflection and exploration. Are these institutions immune to our growing distractions? I fear that I have more questions than answers!
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