OPLA James Bain Medallion
Public Library Board Member of the Year
Criteria/Eligibility
- The nominated candidate must have served on a public library board for at least part of the calendar year for which they are honoured. All nominated board members from small, medium and large libraries are given equal consideration.
- Board members currently serving on the OLBA Council are not eligible for this award.
- The selection of the successful candidate will be based on significant contributions in at least two of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated cohesive leadership in library governance resulting in an effective and responsible library board.
- Significant accomplishments toward the advancement of library services and the development and implementation of sound policies.
- Strong advocacy for the significance and importance of the library’s role in community development and for strengthening the image of the library as a contributor to the economic and cultural development of the city, town or county.
- Awareness of the changing needs of the community and evidence of community partnerships.
- Demonstration of good judgement in implementing ideas which have increased service delivery and efficiency.
- Ability to motivate, inspire and influence civic or provincial leaders to ensure that the library meets the informational, educational and recreational needs of all citizens with adequate financial support.
- Awareness and vision of innovations and opportunities available within the library sector to meet the needs of their future patrons.
Nomination Procedure
- The nominator must be a member in good standing of OLBA or OPLA.
- The nominator must provide sufficient documented evidence to support the nomination, potentially including but not limited to:
- The nominee’s library service at the local, provincial, national or international level.
- Library Board Affiliation(s) and positions held.
- An assessment of the nominee’s contributions to library development.
- Examples of outstanding leadership in the advancement of public library service in Ontario.
Other important considerations:
- Nominations will be accepted between: September – November.
- Once the winner has been chosen, the OPLA President will contact the successful nominator.
- The OLA office will contact all unsuccessful nominators.
- Unless otherwise arranged, the OPLA President will also contact the successful nominee and request a photo for promotion purposes.
- The OLA office will later connect with the nominator and the winner for award presentation logistics.
Selection Process
- The OLBA Council will appoint the Selection Committee. It will be composed of three OLBA members and will include at least one OLBA Councillor.
- Nominees who are not selected may be re-nominated in subsequent years with the submission of updated documentation.
- The OLBA Awards Committee will review all of the applications and assess candidates’ eligibility. Eligible applications will be assessed according to the criteria as above and any supporting the documentation.
- The OLBA Awards Committee will present all qualified candidates to the OLBA Council for consideration. The Council will consider all potential candidates, including those nominated from the membership.
- The presentation of the award is at the discretion of the OLBA Council and is not necessarily presented on an annual basis.
Award Presentation Information
- The President of OPLA will present the award at the OLA Library Awards Gala in conjunction with the OLA’s annual Super Conference.
- The winner will be notified in advance of the award presentation.
- At the presentation, an introductory speech will be delivered outlining the achievements of the award winner.
- The recipient will prepare a short acceptance speech.
- Award winners receive 1 complimentary ticket to the OLA Library Awards Gala.
2025 Adrian Graham, Springwater Township Public Library Board
2024 Paul Ainslie, Toronto Public Library Board
2023 Rose Savage, Vaughan Public Libraries Board
2022 Not awarded
2021 Not awarded
2019 | Patricia Symon, Bruce County Public Library |
2018 | Shelagh Harris, Richmond Hill Public Library |
2017 | Donald Lynch, Six Nations Public Library Board |
2016 | Gary Price, Cambridge Public Library Board/Idea Exchange |
2015 | No recipient |
2014 | Joyce Cunningham, Fort Frances Public Library Board |
2013 | Jane Hilton, Whitby Public Library Board |
2011
| Irene Moore, Terrace Bay Public Library Board; Jan Harder, Ottawa Public Library Board |
2010 | Claudette Richardson, Kingston Frontenac Public Library Board |
| Dr. John J. Flynn, Seguin Public Library Board |
2008 | Joyce Smith, Clearview Public Library Board |
2007 | Suzanne Culp, Lincoln Public Library Board |
2006 | Jan Perfect, North Bay Public Library Board |
2005 | Ethan Mings, Lincoln Public Library Board |
2004 | Sharon Stroud, Haldimand Public Library Board; Rick Goldsmith, Toronto Public Library Board |
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2003 | Carman Dix, Niagara Falls Public Library Board |
2002 | Marcel Giroux, Kingston Frontenac Public Library Board |
2001 | Jim MacDonald, Brantford Public Library Board |
2000 | Gwen MacDougall, North Bay Public Library |
1999 | Hilary Bates Neary, London Public Library Board; Margaret MacLean, Thunder Bay Public Library Board |
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1998 | Elizabeth Buckingham, Ottawa Public Library Board |
1997 | Edmundo Vàsquez, Toronto Public Library Board |
1996 | Elizabeth (Elsie) Dugard, Geraldton Public Library Board |
1995 | Bruce Walker, St. Catharines Public Library Board |
1993 | Anne Van Wyngaarden, Wainfleet Public Library Board |
1992 | Hervé Casault, Gloucester Public Library Board |
1991 | Armand Landry, Smooth Rock Falls Public Library Board |
1990 | Eileen Hammill, Guelph Public Library Board |
1989 | Leah Mitchell, Grand Valley Public Library Board |
1988 | Sheryl Taylor-Munro, Toronto Public Library Board |
1987 | Jack Kippen, Lennox & Addington County |
1986 | Ernest Coté, Ottawa Public Library Board |
1985 | George Court, Metropolitan Toronto Library Board |
1984 | Margaret Andrewes, Lincoln Public Library Board |
