OLBA W.J. Robertson Medallion Public Librarian of the Year
Background
The W.J. Robertson Medallion is presented by OLBA to a public librarian who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of public library service in Ontario. William John Robertson was a founding member of OLA. The thirty three “originals” that established the first constitution at the first Annual meeting of the Association in April, 1901, were a very distinguished and active group and W.J. Robertson was among the most prominent. Robertson became the fourth President of the Association in 1905 – the first trustee to be elected into the position. Robertson was twice chair of the St. Catharines Free Library Board.
Description
This award recognizes and honours significant contributions to the library profession.
Eligibility
- The nominated candidate must be a professional librarian working in an Ontario library for all or at least part of the calendar year in which they are honoured. The selection of the nominated candidate will be based on significant contributions in at least one of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated innovation in the advancement of the library profession.
- Promotion of library services through any means of dissemination of information.
- Demonstrated creative uses of technology in the delivery of library and information services.
- Creation of original work, regardless of the medium used, that contributes substantially to the improvement of library services.
Criteria
- Nominations will be accepted between: February – November
- The nominator must be a member in good standing of OLA
- The nomination package should include evidence to support the nomination, potentially including but not limited to:
- Nominee’s work history and significant positions in a library.
- Evidence of nominee’s contributions.
- Examples of leadership and innovations, as in special projects, new services, community partnerships, etc.
- Letters of support from those who have been impacted by the nominee.
- Press clippings or other material demonstrating recognition of nominee’s impact.
2025 Karthi Rajamani, Pembroke Public Library
2020 Steven Kraus, Ontario Library Service
2019 Cathy Grant, Pickering Public Library
2018 Catherine Biss, Markham Public Library
2017 Karen DeLuca, Arnprior Public Library
2016 Rebecca Jones, Brampton Public Library
2015 Not awarded
2014 Lester Webb, Kingston Frontenac Public Library
2013 Ian Ross, Whitby Public Library
2012 Margaret Rule, Middlesex County Public Library
2011 Margaret Sedgwick of Fort Frances Public Library
2010 Adele Kostiak, Brampton Public Library
2009 Wilhelm Eisenbichler, Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
2008 Sharron Smith, Kitchener Public Library
2007 Brian Bell, AlouetteCanada and the Oakville Public Library
2006 Paul Takala, Hamilton Public Library
2005 Geoffrey P. Nie, Ajax Public Library
2004 Barbara Taylor, St Marys Public Library
2003 Rosemary Bonanno, Vaughan Public Libraries
2002 Margaret Scratch, Southern Ontario Library Service
2001 Barbara Clubb, Ottawa Public Library/Bibliothèque d’Ottawa
2000 Ken Setterington, Toronto Public Library
1999 Alexander A. (Sandy) Cameron, Pickering Public Library
