Fall 2008 - Faculty of Information - University of Toronto

ALUMNI NEWSBob Henderson ‘75 Wins Arbor AwardAlumnus Robert (Bob) Hendersonreceived the University of Toronto'sprestigious Arbor Award for 2007-08.He was recognized for his outstandinglevel of committed volunteerism to theFaculty of Information since 2001. Asan Alumni Association Director for theFaculty, Mr. Henderson regularlyadvises on the strategic direction the Executive should take on manyinitiatives, providing thoughtful insight, practical ideas, andseasoned advice.“Ask an Alum” Program QuadruplesCurrent and prospective students often have questions about theirfield of study, the career market, and "life after" their studies. Inresponse, almost a dozen wonderful alums have volunteered to beput in touch with Information students through the AlumniAssociation's "Ask An Alum" program. Thank you to Hyun-DuckChung '07, Charles Dunham '05, Julie Hannaford '02, MichelleHendley '98, John Hermans '97, Dave Hook '00, Carole LintonMacFarquhar '76, Jessica Posgate '07, Kristine Carlsen Wall '78,Colin Wiginton '91, and Matt Wong '07.Chief Librarian Josephine Bryant ’70 ’74 RetiresCongratulations to alumna Josephine Bryant who retired in Juneafter an illustrious four-decade career, which included ten years asChief Librarian for the Toronto Public Library (TPL). This highlyrespected librarian's key achievement was overseeing theamalgamation of seven library systems into the TPL. ProfessorLynne Howarth, who has known "Jo" for more than 25 years, paidtribute: "In addition to having huge vision, a tireless brain, and avice-like grip, Jo has a big, big heart for the future generation ofpublic librarians." Ms. Bryant was instrumental in establishing theFaculty of Information's Scholarship in Public Librarianship, whichhas been awarded to eight students since its inception.Professor Nancy Williamson Wins Alumni Jubilee AwardThe Faculty of Information has many distinguished graduates. Eachyear, the Alumni Association recognizes individual contributions toinnovation or leadership in libraries or information management,professional organizations, publications/research, or the communityat large, with an Alumni JubileeAward. For 2008, Professor NancyWilliamson ‘50 ‘64 was recognizedfor her long service to the Facultyand the Information community.Recognized by former students forher positive influence, energy, andenthusiasm, she received the award atthe Faculty's Spring Reunion on May 29. In her acceptance speech,Prof. Williamson discussed how she built her career. "Whenever Iwas asked to do something, I just said yes. I believe that shaped therest of my career," she said. Prof. Williamson is a renowned expert oncataloguing and has been a key participant on numerous nationaland international cataloguing standards committees. Since 1993, shehas been involved in restructuring the Universal DecimalClassification (UDC), and is also an active member of theInternational Society for Knowledge Organization (ISKO).MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THEALUMNI ASSOCIATIONWITH the start of the school year, the Alumni Associationexecutive has begun planning events and initiatives of interest toalumni. Here is a peak at what is in store for 2008/2009:• September: We migrated our website to the University of Toronto'snew online community for alumni, and welcome you to join us inthe "Alumni Circle" at http://alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/index.aspx.Our Facebook and LinkedIn groups will continue to exist as placesfor you to reconnect and network with fellow alumni• October 23: The Bertha Bassam Lecture will be held this fall inconjunction with the 80th Anniversary of the Faculty! We are luckyto have as our distinguished speaker, digital media expertDr. David Weinberger, author of Everything is Miscellaneous: ThePower of the New Digital Disorder• November: We will continue to offer conference grants to Master’sstudents. For conference reports from students, please see theAlumni Circle website (http://alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/index.aspx)• January: The highly successful Job Shadowing Program will resume• May: The Student and Alumni Jubilee Awards for 2008-2009 will beawarded in the spring. Congratulations to 2007-2008 recipients,graduating MISt student, Christina Hwang ’08 and alumna, NancyWilliamson ’50 ’64. Remember to send us your nominations!The Alumni Association executive looks forwardto seeing you at an upcoming event. Until then,email alumni@ischool.utoronto.ca to receive ourmonthly e-newsletter, or to submit ideas forevents and initiatives.Claire Lysnes, MISt '04President, Alumni AssociationFaculty of InformationYour Alumni AssociationAll alumni-sponsored events and initiatives are overseen by the Faculty ofInformation’s Alumni Association. You are welcome to make suggestions ordrop a line to any team member:PRESIDENTClaire Lysnes, MISt '04clysnes@gmail.comPAST PRESIDENTKaren Wierucki, MLS '80wierucki@ontla.ola.orgVICE-PRESIDENTKimberly Silk, MISt '98kim@brightsail.comTREASURERHelen Katz, MLS '75helen.katz@utoronto.caSECRETARYCynthea Penman, MLS '79cynthea.penman@CIBC.comDIRECTORSBob Henderson, MLS '75bob.superrover@gmail.comYasmin Khan, MISt '02YKhan@justice.gc.caMike Meth, MISt ‘06michael.meth@utoronto.caWiebke Smythe, MLS '97wiebke.smythe@sympatico.caAlison Stirling, MISt '06a.stirling@opc.on.caRicardo Laskaris, MISt '04r.laskaris@sympatico.caSTUDENT REPRESENTATIVETBAEX-OFFICIOJudy DunnAssistant Dean, Academic &Program, Faculty of Informationjudy.dunn@utoronto.caKathleen O’BrienCommunications and DevelopmentOfficer, Faculty of Informationkathleen.obrien@utoronto.ca6 informed | september 2008