National Award Presented to Cape Breton University and Cape Breton Regional Libraries

Sydney, NS...The Cape Breton Regional Library and Cape Breton University Library are this year's joint recipients of the 2009 CLA/OCLC Award for Resource Sharing Achievement. The Award was presented at the annual Canadian Library Association (CLA) Conference held May 29 - June 1, in Montreal.

The Cape Breton Regional Library and the Cape Breton University Library have a long-standing history of cooperation and resource sharing that can be dated back to 1990. Over the past seventeen years, the libraries have worked together co-operatively and collaboratively in  such areas as collections, professional development and database creation. They have partnered to bring together, update and maintain the records of their Gaelic language books into one online bilingual catalogue and have made it available through web access.

It was noted during the CLA national conference that resource sharing initiatives by the two libraries is an outstanding example of successful resource sharing in Canada.  It has evolved as processes and technology have become increasingly sophisticated.  This particular award recognizes successful, innovative and extensive resource sharing initiatives between a public and an academic library. Regional Librarian Faye MacDougall notes that "there is an excellent level of cooperation between the two Libraries."

"A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two Libraries was recently renewed for a third term." says Robert Campbell, Director of Library Services at CBU, "This speaks to the success of our resource sharing initiatives, and we look forward to continuing these efforts in the future."

Ian MacIntosh, Deputy Regional Librarian at CBRL, has worked on a number of projects over the years and states that "As the only two substantial Library collections on Cape Breton Island we have recognized that we can provide better service to our users through cooperation that employs the strength of both Library systems."

The award was presented by the CLA Resource Sharing Interest Group, and is generously sponsored by the library technology firm OCLC Canada.

The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliotheques is Canada's largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.

For More Information, Contact:

Faye MacDougall,
Regional Librarian
Cape Breton Regional Library
T: 562-3279
E: fmacdoug@nssc.library.ns.ca

or

Robert Campbell
Director, Library Services
Cape Breton University
T: 563-1698
E: Robert_Campbell@cbu.ca