BC Teacher-Librarians' AssociationDownload the individual awards nomination form here and the individual grants form 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
Regional BCTLA Conference Grant
BCTLA New Teacher/TTOC 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 the highest honour 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
| 2023 – |
| 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
| 2023 – |
| 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 commitment and achievement of teacher-librarians who have made outstanding contributions to teacher-librarianship, school libraries, and/or the BCTLA. (AGM, 2008).
Criteria:
The award may be presented annually by the BCTLA for an outstanding, substantial and recognizable long-standing contribution to the BCTLA, school libraries, or teacher-librarianship.
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
| 2023 – |
| 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 teacher-librarians who have made outstanding contributions to the BCTLA.
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 Chapters or by individual members and subscribers.
- Nominees may be practicing or retired school or district-based teacher-librarians.
- Nominees must be eligible for BCTLA membership.
- 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.
| 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
| 2023 – |
| 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
| 2023 – |
| 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 $350.00. (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, and $50, which will be considered an honorarium; or
- (b) $350, 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
| 2023 – |
| 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 $350.00. (April 2009).
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) $350, 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
| 2023 – |
| 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 |
Regional BCTLA Conference Grant
In most years, the BC Teachers’ Federation provides a limited number of $3,000 Regional Conference Support Grants to support PSA conferences held outside the Lower Mainland and/or outside Southern Vancouver Island. The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association encourages Chapters to organize Regional BCTLA Conferences in addition to the October BCTLA Conference. The BCTLA invites Chapters to request that BCTLA apply to to the BCTF for a Regional Conference Support Grant on their behalf.
Eligibility:
To be eligible to request that BCTLA apply for a grant, a Chapter must be:
- An active, registered Chapter within the BCTLA.
- An active participant in Council Meetings.
- Up-to-date with Chapter reports and all required documentation for the BCTLA.
Terms:
Availability of the grant:
- BCTLA may be eligible for only one Regional Conference Grant in a year.
- BCTLA and/or the interested Chapter may join with another PSA for the conference, however the joint conference will only be eligible for one grant.
- Two-thirds of the grant will be released by BCTF on approval of the grant application and the final third of the money will be released once the conference report is received by the BCTF.
The recipient Chapter(s) shall:
- With support from BCTLA’s Conference Chair, make all arrangements for the Regional BCTLA Conference including securing additional funding beyond the $3,000 grant.
- Hold the conference within the school year outside the Lower Mainland (east of Chilliwack and Mission) and/or outside Southern Vancouver Island (held in Nanaimo and north).
- Include participants from more than one school district in the conference.
- Print the following on the conference agenda: We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of this conference by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation.
- After the conference, submit a report through BCTLA’s Conference Chair to the BCTF including a copy of the conference agenda, information regarding the number of participants attending the conference and a summary of evaluation forms completed by conference attendees.
Applications:
A complete request to BCTLA shall consist of:
- A completed and signed Request Form.
- The proposed conference plan (see Request Form for required details).
Selection Process:
Requests may be submitted throughout the year but must be received well in advance of the proposed conference date. The Executive may or may not approve the request and selection shall be based on the quality of the proposal. Please note that even with BCTLA’s approval, BCTF may or may not approve the grant.
Submissions:
Submit request forms and attachments to the bctla@bctf.ca.
Required Forms:
BCTLA New Teacher/TTOC Conference Grant
In most years, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation provides a limited number of $500 Local/PSA New Teacher Conference Grants to support the organization of conferences which include “a significant component for new teachers and teachers teaching on call”. The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association encourages Chapters to organize New Teacher Conferences in addition to the October BCTLA Conference. The BCTLA invites Chapters to request that BCTLA apply for to BCTF for a Local/PSA New Teacher Conference Grant on their behalf.
Eligibility:
To be eligible to request that BCTLA apply for a grant, a Chapter must be:
- An active, registered Chapter within the BCTLA.
- An active participant in Council Meetings.
- Up-to-date with Chapter reports and all required documentation for the BCTLA.
Terms:
Availability of the grant:
To be eligible for the grant, a proposed conference plan is required, which must include the following information:
- Conference date(s)
- Conference location
- Expected number of attendees
- Conference title or theme
- Focus or component designed for new teachers (conference program/outline)
The recipient Chapter(s) shall:
- With support from BCTLA’s Conference Chair, make all arrangements for the BCTLA New Teacher Conference including securing additional funding beyond the $500 grant.
- After the conference, submit a report through BCTLA’s Conference Chair to the BCTF including financial information and information regarding the number of participants attending the conference.
Applications:
A complete request to BCTLA shall consist of:
- A completed and signed Request Form.
- The proposed conference plan (see Request Form for required details).
Selection Process:
Requests may be submitted throughout the year but must be received well in advance of the proposed conference date. The Executive may or may not approve the request and selection shall be based on the quality of the proposal. Please note that even with BCTLA’s approval, BCTF may or may not approve the grant.
Submissions:
Submit request forms and attachments to the bctla@bctf.ca.
Required Forms:
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.
| 2023 – |
