Congratulations to Shaila Mensinkai for being nominated by her peers for the OVHLA President’s Award. Shaila was nominated for making a significant, long-lasting contribution to the OVHLA community through her leadership in health technology assessment librarianship, and her “behind the scenes” support of search methodology projects, presentations and resources. Thank you Shaila!
Congratulations to Cait Ford for being nominated by her peers for the OVHLA President’s Award. Cait served for three years on the OVHLA executive as the CE Coordinator and worked to establish the successful OVHLA mini-symposium event, now held annually. She is an enthusiastic and visionary leader, and was a key player in bringing CHLA to Ottawa in 2019. Thank you for your service Cait!
The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association’s Annual General Meeting was held October 5, 2017. The minutes are now available on our meetings page.
Mark your calendars! The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association will hold its AGM at Joule HQ (1031 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON Canada K1S 3W7) on Thursday October 5th, 2017 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm with a social event to follow. The agenda will be posted on our website and sent out via the listserv shortly before our meeting.
Please also join us for a social event following the AGM. The event location will be within the Lansdowne area. Details to follow!
We hope to see you there!
– The OVHLA Executive Committee
Mark your calendars! The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association will hold its AGM at CADTH House (865 Carling Ave., Suite 600 Ottawa, ON Canada K1S 5S8) on Tuesday October 4th, 2016. The agenda will be posted on our website and sent out via the listserv shortly before our meeting.
For those members who cannot attend in person, but would still like to participate, we will have a Skype session set up. You can access it via the link below:
Join by phone
(1-844)646-6564 (Toll-Free) English (United States)
Conference ID: 52605
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Please note: For those members who will be attending in person, please report to the reception desk on the 6th floor and ask for Jen. Parking is available underground as well as on the street.
*New this year!* The OVHLA Executive Committee is introducing the “President’s Award”. A call for nominations will go out shortly and a winner will be announced at the AGM. The awardee will be chosen based on their contribution to the OVHLA community throughout the year. We look forward to your nominations!
Please also join us for a social event following the AGM. The event location will be within walking distance from CADTH. Details to follow!
We hope to see you there!
– The OVHLA Executive Committee
OVHLA has sent the following letter to the Deputy Mayor of North Stormont, and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry County Library Board Chair Bill McGimpsey in response to the proposed cuts to the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SD&G) Library System. A big thank you to Jeff Mason and Cait Ford for working on this.
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Re: Cuts to Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SD&G) Library System
Dear Deputy Mayor of North Stormont, and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry County Library Board Chair Bill McGimpsey:
The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association (OVHLA) is adding its collective voice to those expressing deep concern over the proposed closure of three branches of the SD&G Library System. In addition to the effects these closures will have on general literacy and community services, closing three libraries will also have a negative impact on the health literacy of the people of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry counties, because public libraries are important providers of consumer health information both in print and online.
The Internet is the primary resource for people who take an interest in their own health, and many consumers turn to their public libraries to access the Internet for health information (Zickuhr, Rainie, & Purcell, 2013). According to the Canadian Internet Use Survey, 69.9% of Canadians search for medical or health related information online (Statistics Canada, 2009).
Closing these three branches (Morewood, Dalkeith, and St. Andrews) will remove vital services from the community. Some residents formally served by these branches may have the opportunity to seek services outside their immediate communities at their own cost. Some have even indicated a willingness to pay to join the Ottawa Public Library system. However, it is not those with financial means who feel the closure of public library spaces the most. For people living with chronic health conditions and those living in poverty, closing nearby public libraries leaves those most in need without access to computers and the Internet, essential tools for finding credible health information and accessing government resources and services. Removing the public spaces and community resources provided by these libraries provide for free, to all residents, regardless of physical or financial ability will be of detriment to the area, both today and in the future.
On behalf of the Executive Board of OVHLA, and its members, I urge the government of municipal councils of SD&G counties to reconsider these closures as well as the allocated overall funding to the public library system. I would be happy to discuss this further with you.
Yours sincerely,
Alexandra Hickey
President, OVHLA
On behalf of OVHLA Executive Board
CC: OVHLA executive members; , Director of Library Service Karen Franklin; Communications & Marketing Librarian Susan Wallwork; Former Vice-Chair Barbara Lehtiniemi; Councillor Frank Prevost; Councillor and Mayor of South Dundas Evonne Delegarde; Deputy Mayor of North Glengarry and Warden of SD&G Jamie MacDonald; Nolan Quinn; Jim McDonnell, MPP; Guy Lauzon, MP; Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport The Honourable Eleanor McMahon
References
Zickuhr, Kathryn, Lee Rainie, and Kristen Purcell. (2013). Library Services in the Digital Age.
Retrieved from http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/Library-services/.
Statistics Canada. (2011). 2009 Canadian Internet use survey. Retrieved from from:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/survey/household/4432.
As some of you may know, Jessie Cunningham has stepped down as OVHLA president, as she has accepted a new position in Toronto. We wish Jessie all the best in her new role!
As of Wednesday February 10th, Alex Hickey has accepted the position of OVHLA president and stepped down from her role as OVHLA secretary. We are putting a call out to any member who is interested in joining the executive as OVHLA secretary for a 2 year term.
For more information, or to submit your name for consideration, please contact Jennifer Skuce, Cait Ford or Alex Hickey.
Please make sure to submit your name or nomination by February 19th, 2016.
The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association’s Annual General Meeting was held September 24, 2015. The minutes are now available on our meetings page.
The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association will hold its AGM at CMA House (1867 Alta Vista Dr. Ottawa) on September 24th, 2015. For those members who cannot attend in person, but would still like to participate, we have a teleconference number for the AGM:
Teleconference Number: 1-877-234-4610 Toll Free (Canada & USA) Participant Access code: 6335195# (note: For those members who will be attending in person, please report to reception. A limited number of visitor parking spaces are also available in the parking lot to the left (facing the road) as you drive in.
Please also join us for a social event following the AGM.
The agenda with a complete list of nominees will be posted shortly.
We hope to see you there!
– The OVHLA Executive Committee
The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association will be holding elections for positions on the Executive Committee. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership skills, broaden your professional horizons and experience, and learn from your colleagues. The Ottawa Valley Health Libraries Association (OVHLA) Executive is currently seeking nominations for the following positions:
1. President (for the period Sept 2015 to Sept 2017, 2 year term); and
2. Secretary (for the period Sept 2015 to Sept 2017, 2 year term).
All nominations must be submitted no later than September 21st, 2015. The Election will be held at the OVHLA’s Annual General Meeting on September 24th. Results will be announced shortly thereafter.
For more information on the responsibilities of each position or, to submit a nomination, or for any other details, please contact Jessie Cunningham, President, OVHLA, at: jcunningham@cmpa.org, 613-725-9965 ext 872.