BC Teacher-Librarians' AssociationClick the following links to complete the individual award nomination forms here and the individual grant forms here.
The Chapter Grant application form is found in the Chapter Services section.
Award nominations will be accepted between January 1st to March 15th of each year.
Grant nominations will be accepted between April 1 to September 15th of each year.
Anyone applying for an award or grant must be a current member of the BCTLA.
List of BCTLA Awards
BC Teacher-Librarian of the Year – Diana Poole Memorial Award
BC New Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award
Val Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
BCTLA Honorary Life Membership Award
List of BCTLA Grants
Ken Haycock Professional Development Grant
BCTLA Representative Speaker Grant
William H. Scott Memorial BCTLA Conference Grant
Naomi Onotera Joy of Reading Grant
BCTLA Awards
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association honours teacher-librarians for their outstanding commitment to school libraries and education. This dedication is evident by the range of awards given within BC and the BC recipients of external national recognition. MOST NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BETWEEN JANUARY 1ST AND MARCH 15th OF EACH YEAR.
Application forms are available below. Some use a common online form.
BC Teacher-Librarian of the Year – Diana Poole Memorial Award
The BC Teacher-Librarian of the Year – Diana Poole Memorial Award is one of the highest honours of the British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association. The award honours practicing teacher-librarians who are making an outstanding contribution to teacher-librarianship at and beyond the school level in British Columbia. (Formerly The Diana Poole Memorial Award of Merit, BCTLA Award of Merit) (Fall Council, 1989, 1993, 1996; Spring Council 2009).
Criteria:
Individuals nominated for the award should be demonstrating the planning and implementation of a school library program of such exemplary quality that it is serving as a model and inspiration for others. They must also be involved in one or more of the following areas:
- Leadership and service to the profession through the BCTLA and related organizations.
- Commitment to professional growth through continuing education, research, or participation in national organizations.
- Sharing of ideas and resources through such means as workshops and publications.
Rules:
- This award may be given annually by the BCTLA Executive Board and, if given, is to be presented at the annual BCTLA Conference.
- Nominations may be made by Chapters, members, subscribers, and non-members.
- Nominees must be members of the BCTLA and be practicing school level teacher-librarians.
- The BCTLA Executive shall adjudicate the award.
- Criteria for selection will be determined as outlined on any required forms.
- Nominations shall be considered for only the year in which they are received.
Nominations:
Nominations will be accepted between January 1st to March 15th of each year.
BC Teacher-Librarian of the Year – Diana Poole Memorial Award
| 2025 – Ben Koning, Victoria |
| 2024 – Lisa Seddon, New Westminster and Sarah Coull, Comox Valley |
| 2023 – Lindsay Ward, West Vancouver |
| 2022 – Doni Gratton, West Vancouver |
| 2021 – Jennifer Araujo, Burnaby |
| 2020 – Kristie Oxley, New Westminster |
| 2019 – Susan Henderson, Coquitlam |
| 2018 – Leisbet Beaudry, Prince George |
| 2017 – Heather Daly, Coquitlam |
| 2016 – Dayna Hart, Central Okanagan |
| 2015 – Misty Smith, Central Okanagan |
| 2014 – Val Martineau, Nanaimo-Ladysmith |
| 2013 – Deb Cowland, Langley |
| 2012 – Moira Ekdahl, Vancouver |
| 2011 – Sylvia Zubke, Vancouver |
| 2010 – Karen Ferguson, Coquitlam |
| 2009 – Karen Lindsay, Greater Victoria |
The Diana Poole Memorial Award of Merit
| 2008 – Michele Farquharson, Vancouver |
| 2007 – Patricia Finlay, Burnaby |
| 2006 – Sheilagh Martin, North Vancouver and Pat Kirkey, Westbank |
| 2005 – was not awarded |
| 2004 – Tiiu Noukas, Prince George |
| 2003 – Odie Kaplan, Burnaby |
| 2002 – Val Hamilton, Vancouver |
| 2001 – Joan Eaton, Westbank |
| 2000 – Dianne Driscoll, Coquitlam |
| 1999 – Jim Holgate, Surrey |
| 1998 – Pat Parungao, Vancouver |
| 1997 – Penny Bland, Maple Ridge |
BCTLA Award of Merit
| 1996 – Noreen Grobowsky, Richmond |
| 1995 – Sharon Bede, Kelowna |
| 1994 – Kay Treadgold, Kelowna |
| 1993 – Joan Wilby, Coquitlam |
| 1992 – Valerie Dare, Vancouver |
| 1990 – Barbara Hall, Prince George |
| 1989 – Peggy Beck, Vancouver |
| 1988 – Joan Harper, Vancouver |
| 1983 – Don Rahrick |
BC New Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association honours practicing new teacher-librarians who are making an outstanding contribution to teacher-librarianship at and beyond the school level in British Columbia. (AGM, 2009).
Criteria:
Individuals with less than five years experience as a currently practicing teacher-librarian nominated for the award should be demonstrating the planning and implementation of a school library program and/or of school library services of such exemplary quality that either or both is serving as a model and inspiration for others. They should also be involved in one or more of the following areas:
- Leadership and service to the profession through the BCTLA and related organizations.
- Commitment to professional growth through continuing education, research, or participation in national organizations.
- Sharing of ideas and resources through such means as workshops and publications.
Rules:
- This award may be given annually by the BCTLA Executive and, if given, is to be presented at the BCTLA Conference.
- Nominations may be made by Chapters, members, subscribers, and non-members.
- Nominees must be members of the BCTLA and have less than five years experience as currently practicing school or district-based teacher-librarians.
- The BCTLA Executive shall adjudicate the award.
- Criteria for selection will be determined as outlined on any required forms.
- Nominations shall be considered for only the year in which they are received.
Nominations:
Nominations will be accepted between January 1st to March 15th of each year.
BC New Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award
| 2025 – Natalie Stewart, Ladysmith and Elizabeth Malin, Richmond |
| 2024 – KD McArthur, Surrey and Rebekah Rustad, Prince George |
| 2023 – Beverly Bunker and Nicole Hurtubise, Surrey |
| 2022 – Larissa Kaminsky, New Westminster, and Kailyn Bell, Victoria |
| 2021 – Emily Huang, Surrey, and Jenny Chang, New Westminster |
| 2020 – Leanne Dunbar, Maple Ridge, and Hannah Abbott, Victoria |
| 2019 – Sharon Neumann, Peace River South |
| 2018 – Jennifer Fox, Peace River South |
| 2017 – Jessica Bonin, Prince George |
| 2016 – Dominique Sullivan, Nanaimo-Ladysmith |
| 2015 – was not awarded |
| 2014 – Nicole Aerts, Greater Victoria |
| 2013 – Carmen Yamashita, Vancouver |
| 2012 – Tammy Reynolds, Nanaimo-Ladysmith |
| 2011 – Nicola Kuhn, Rossland |
| 2010 – Tu Loan Trieu, Coquitlam |
Val Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association recognizes the lifetime commitment and achievement of teacher-librarians who have made outstanding contributions to the BCTLA and to our profession. (AGM, 2008)
Nominees may be practicing or retired school or district-based teacher-librarians.
Criteria:
The award may be presented by the BCTLA Executive to individuals who have made an exemplary, substantial and recognizable long-standing contribution to BCTLA objectives.
Rules:
- This award may be given annually by the BCTLA Executive Board and, if given, is to be presented at the annual BCTLA Conference.
- Nominations may be made by BCTLA Chapters or by individual members and subscribers.
- Nominees may be practicing or retired school or district-based teacher-librarians.
- In order for the nomination to be valid, the Nomination form must be used.
- The BCTLA Executive shall adjudicate the award.
- Nominations shall be considered for only the year in which they are received.
Nominations:
Nominations will be accepted between January 1st to March 15th of each year.
Val Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
| 2025 – Irene Gibeault, Maple Ridge and Deborah Chand, Chilliwack |
| 2024 – Tina Cousins, Prince George and Geoff Orme, Victoria |
| 2023 – Angela Monk, Surrey |
| 2022 – Chris Evans, Vancouver, and Richard Beaudry, Langley |
| 2021 – Mary Locke, Vancouver |
| 2020 – Joanie Proske, Langley |
| 2019 – Patricia Finlay, Burnaby, and Leslie Ikeda, Coquitlam |
| 2018 – Marilyn Lunde, Kootenays |
| 2017 – Moira Ekdahl, Vancouver |
| 2016 – Alison Hewitt, Langley, and Lindsay Ross, Greater Victoria |
| 2015 – Bonnie Chapman, Surrey |
| 2014 – Marilyn Richardson, Langley |
| 2013 – Veronica Allan, Cowichan Valley |
| 2012 – Bonnie McComb, Saanich |
| 2011 – was not awarded |
| 2010 – Sharon Scott, Vancouver, and Margaret Litch, Nanaimo-Ladysmith |
| 2009 – Judith Kootte, Richmond |
BCTLA Honorary Life Membership Award
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association recognizes the commitment and achievement of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to teacher-librarianship, school libraries, and/or the BCTLA deserving of an honourary lifetime membership.
Criteria:
The award may be presented by the BCTLA Executive to individuals who have made an outstanding, substantial and recognizable long-standing contribution to the BCTLA.
Rules:
- This award may be presented at any time in a year by the BCTLA Executive Board and, if given, may be presented at a time and place at the discretion of the Executive Board.
- Nominations may be made by BCTLA executives.
- Nominees may be practicing or retired school or district-based teacher-librarians.
- The BCTLA Executive shall adjudicate the award.
- Nominations shall be considered for only the year in which they are received.
Nominations:
Nominations will be accepted between January 1st to March 15th of each year.
| 2025 – Richard Beaudry, Langley |
| 2018 – Heather Daly, Coquitlam |
| 2012 – Don Hamilton, Victoria, and Bonnie McComb, Saanich |
| 2009 – Lynn Turner, Terrace |
| 2007 – Val Hamilton, Vancouver |
| 2002 – Liz Austrom, Vancouver |
| 1989 – Grace Funk, Vernon, Glen Pinch, Langley, and Gordon Stubbs, UBC Department of School Librarianship |
| 1983 – John Church, Vancouver, BCTF, also a Vancouver trustee |
| Grace D’Arcy, Parksville/Qualicum |
| Mel Rainey, UBC Department of School Librarianship |
| Frances Sbrocchi, Kamloops |
| Elsie Wagner, Past BCTLA President |
| Florence Willson, Prince George |
BCTLA President’s Award
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association recognizes the commitment and achievement of teacher-librarians who have made outstanding contributions.
Criteria:
The award may be presented by the BCTLA President to honour outstanding teacher-librarians for their work and contributions.
Rules:
- This award may be presented at any time in a year at the discretion of the BCTLA Executive Board and, if given, may be presented at a time and place at the discretion of the Executive Board.
- Suggestions for nominations should be sent to the BCTLA President.
- The BCTLA Executive shall adjudicate the award.
- Nominations shall be considered for only the year in which they are received.
Nominations:
Forward suggestions for nominations to the bctla@bctf.ca.
BCTLA President’s Award
| 2025 – Shaunna McDonald, Surrey |
| 2024 – Sheri Kinney, Cowichan |
| 2023 – Andrea Lapointe, Surrey and Joseph Jeffery, Prince George |
| 2022 – was not awarded |
| 2021 – Rebeca Rubio, Richmond |
| 2020 – Richard Beaudry, Langley |
| 2019 – Maureen McDonough, Martha Cameron, Leigh Husieff, Surrey |
| 2012 – Val Hamilton, Vancouver |
| 2011 – Al Smith, Kelowna |
BCTLA Grants
Ken Haycock Professional Development Grant
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association recognizes the need to further the professional development of a member of the BCTLA by giving a grant to be used for any credit or non-credit course, workshop, conference or program in the field of teacher-librarianship. This grant is not to exceed $500.00. ()
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Ken Haycock Professional Development Grant an applicant must be:
- A Canadian citizen.
- A resident of British Columbia.
- A member of the BCTLA. Prospective applicants who are not BCTLA members may obtain membership by contacting the BCTF.
- A holder of a valid BC Teaching Certificate.
Terms:
- Use the grant monies within 12 months of presentation.
- The maximum amount of this grant shall be the lesser of:
- (a) reimbursement for approved costs borne by the successful applicant; or
- (b) $500, which will be considered a full grant.
- Receive payment of the grant monies upon proof of completion of the course, workshop, conference, or program; submission of costs.
Selection Process:
The recipient(s) of the grant shall be selected by the Executive Board. If a grant is given the decision will be made in June and the successful nominee(s) will be recognized.
Applications:
Nominations will be accepted between April 1st to September 15th of each year. Please include in your application statement a brief outline of the course, workshop, conference or program.
Ken Haycock Professional Development Grant
| 2024 – Lila Armstrong, Comox Valley and Kelsey LaForte, Surrey |
| 2023 – Tara Espitia, Langley, Kristen Powers, Maple Ridge, and Lucas Anderson, Ucluelet |
| 2022 – was not awarded |
| 2021 – Devika Chudy, Maple Ridge, Joseph Jeffery, Prince George, Carmen Woo, New Westminster, Vanessa Broadworth, Surrey, and Kathy Gyori, Surrey |
| 2020 – was not awarded |
| 2019 – Devika Chudy, Maple Ridge |
| 2018 – Lindsay Ward, West Vancouver |
| 2017 – Grahame Rainey, Coquitlam |
| 2016 – Janet Mumford, Richmond |
| 2015 – Janis Bridger, New Westminster, and Kim Riddick, Delta |
| 2014 – Sheri Kinney, Cowichan Valley |
| 2013 – April Hilland, Maple Ridge |
| 2012 – Pat Parungao, Vancouver |
| 2011 – April Hilland, Maple Ridge |
| 2010 – Cheriee Weichl, Vancouver |
| 2009 – Chris Evans, Vancouver |
| 2008 – Moira Ekdahl, Vancouver |
| 2007 – Iris Mennie, Nanaimo |
| 2006 – Janet Mumford, Richmond |
| 2005 – Mary Locke, Vancouver |
| 2004 – Rick Mulholland, Mission |
| 2003 – Sarah Wethered, New Westminster |
| 2002 – Donna Lee, Vancouver |
| 2001 – was not awarded |
| 2000 – was not awarded |
| 1999 – Faye Meek, Maple Ridge |
| 1998 – was not awarded |
| 1997 – Gail Crawford, Delta |
| 1996 – was not awarded |
| 1995 – was not awarded |
| 1994 – was not awarded |
| 1993 – was not awarded |
| 1992 – Teresa Brinton, Kelowna |
| 1991 – Jack Allen, Vancouver |
| 1990 – was not awarded |
| 1989 – Lina D’Onofrio, Vancouver |
BCTLA Representative Speaker Grant
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association recognizes the need to share the expertise of BCTLA members with other institutions, organizations and associations by giving a grant to be used to represent the BCTLA as a speaker/facilitator at a course, workshop, conference, or program other than the annual BCTLA conference. This grant is not to exceed $500.00. (April 2010).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the BCTLA Representative Speaker Grant an applicant must be:
- A Canadian citizen.
- A resident of British Columbia.
- A member of the BCTLA. Prospective applicants who are not BCTLA members may obtain membership by contacting the BCTF.
- A holder of a valid BC Teaching Certificate.
- Not already receiving a fee, salary or an honorarium for their speaking/facilitating services.
Terms:
- Use the grant monies within 12 months of presentation.
- With the addition of—at the complete discretion of the BCTLA Executive—release time, the maximum amount of this grant shall be the lesser of:
- (a) reimbursement for any registration or tuition fees and travel costs borne by the applicant; or
- (b) $500, which will be considered a full grant.
- Receive payment of the grant monies upon proof of attendance as a speaker/facilitator at course, workshop, conference, or program other than the annual BCTLA conference; submission of costs.
Selection Process:
The recipient(s) of the grant shall be selected by the Executive Board. If a grant is given the decision will be made in June and the successful nominee(s) will be recognized.
Applications:
Nominations will be accepted between April 1st to September 15th of each year. Please include in your application statement a brief outline of the course, workshop, conference or program.
BCTLA Representative Speaker Grant
| 2024 – Lila Armstrong, Comox Valley |
| 2023 – Jade Lee, Vancouver |
| 2022 -was not awarded |
| 2021 – was not awarded |
| 2020 – was not awarded |
| 2019 – was not awarded |
| 2018 – Andrea Langelaar, Surrey |
| 2017 – was not awarded |
| 2016 – was not awarded |
| 2015 – was not awarded |
| 2014 – was not awarded |
| 2013 – Jeff Yasinchuk, Kootenay Lake |
| 2012 – Moira Ekdahl, Vancouver |
| 2011 – was not awarded |
William H. Scott Memorial BCTLA Conference Grant
The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association recognizes the need to further the professional development of a member or subscriber of the BCTLA by giving a grant to be used to attend the annual BCTLA Conference. This grant is not to exceed $500.00. (April 2024).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the William H. Scott Memorial BCTLA Conference Grant an applicant must be:
- A Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
- A resident of British Columbia.
- A member of the BCTLA. Prospective applicants who are not BCTLA members may obtain membership by contacting the BCTF.
Terms:
- Use the grant monies for the current BCTLA Conference.
- The maximum amount of this grant shall be the lesser of:
- (a) reimbursement for the amount of the annual BCTLA Conference registration fee and travel costs; or
- (b) $500, which will be considered a full grant.
- Receive payment of the grant monies upon proof of attendance at the annual BCTLA Conference.
Selection Process:
The recipient(s) of the grant shall be selected by the Executive Board. If a grant is given the decision will be made in October and the successful nominee(s) will be recognized.
Applications:
Nominations will be accepted between April 1st to September 15th of each year.
William H. Scott Memorial BCTLA Conference Grant
| 2024 – Krista Kong and Lindsay Lane, Maple Ridge, Myra Connaty, Vancouver Island North, Sarah Murdoch Black, Central Okanagan, Linette Macneil, North Vancouver |
| 2023 – was not awarded |
| 2022 – was not awarded |
| 2021 – was not awarded |
| 2020 – was not awarded |
| 2019 – Kristine Clark, Port Alberni |
| 2018 – Melissa Park, Peace River South |
| 2017 – Christopher Hunt, Chilliwack |
| 2016 – Beth Chng, Prince George |
| 2015 – was not awarded |
| 2014 – was not awarded |
| 2013 – was not awarded |
| 2012 – was not awarded |
| 2011 – was not awarded |
| 2010 – was not awarded |
Naomi Onotera Joy of Reading Grant
Naomi Onotera was a Teacher-Librarian at Katzie Elementary in Surrey, BC. She is remembered as a calm, gentle and caring teacher who took the time to help and listen to every child. Naomi was a collaborative and enthusiastic colleague who delighted in connecting students with books they love. In honour of Naomi’s passion, the Naomi Onotera Joy of Reading Grant is awarded annually to two Teacher-Librarians to plan an event that brings their school community together to share the joy of reading. One Surrey Teacher-Librarian and one Teacher-Librarian from another district in BC will be selected and are encouraged to connect and collaborate as they plan their event. (June 2023)
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Naomi Onotera Joy of Reading Grant an applicant must be:
- A member of the BCTLA. Prospective applicants who are not BCTLA members may obtain membership by contacting the BCTF.
Terms:
- Use the grant monies within the school year it is presented.
- The maximum amount of this grant shall be the lesser of:
- (a) reimbursement for approved costs borne by the successful applicant; or
- (b) $400 per Teacher-Librarian, which will be considered a full grant.
- Receive payment of the grant monies upon submission of costs.
- Recipients will share the event with the Teacher-Librarian community in BC (ie: through BCTLA newsletter, on BCTLA website, through social media, at BCTLA conference etc.)
Selection Process:
The recipient(s) of the grant shall be selected by the BCTLA and the Surrey BCTLA Chapter.
Applications:
Nominations will be accepted between April 1st to September 15th of each year. Please include in your application statement a brief outline of your plans for the reading event.
| 2024 – Simon Cunningham Elementary, Surrey & South Canoe Elementary, North Okanagan-Shuswap |
| 2023 – Katzie Elementary School, Surrey & Hollyburn Elementary, West Vancouver |
