Special honour for city librarian

A ground-breaking librarian will be receiving an honorary degree from the University of Lethbridge.

Margaret (Maggie) Macdonald will be presented a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, during a morning Convocation ceremony June 1. Macdonald is cited for her leadership in rural library services as well as technological advances.

It was her vision, university officials point out, that allowed the Chinook Arch Regional Library to become a leader in Alberta, offering many services in rural libraries that would usually be found only in city facilities.

“Margaret Macdonald has had a profound influence on rural literacy in our province and (has) long been a leader in using technology to enhance library services,” says Janice Varzari, the university’s chancellor.

“We are excited to highlight her important work, and pleased she has accepted our offer of an honorary degree.”

Chinook Arch, with Macdonald as its chief executive officer, became the first library system in Alberta to build a wide area network for its members. University officials point out she worked with other library systems to gain financial support from the Alberta Rural Development Fund — and then a matching grant from a private foundation — to provide videoconferencing equipment for each rural library.

Collaborating with the Kainai Board of Education, she also secured provincial funding to allow the Kainai Public Library to join Chinook Arch, as Alberta’s first public library on First Nations land.

Macdonald has also served as chair of the steering committee for the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network, and as as chair of consortium that facilitated greater collaboration between libraries across the province.

Her honorary degree will be presented during the 9:30 a.m. graduation event, June 1 in the 1st Choice Savings gymnasium.

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