[with apologies for cross-posting] Ottawa, Ontario, July 3, 2002 -- Wendy Newman, Chief Executive Officer of the Brantford Public Library, became President of the Canadian Library Association (CLA) at the 57th Annual Conference, held in Halifax from June 19-23. Wendy Newman brings a wealth of experience of association work and leadership to the presidency. She has been president of the Canadian Association of Public Libraries, a mentor at the Northern Exposure to leadership Institute and a Volunteer Advocacy Trainer for Library Advocacy Now! Brantford Public Library is the North American representative in UNET, the UNESCO Model Library Network and Ms. Newman will host a meeting of this group of 8 public libraries in September 2002. Ms. Newman sits on the Heritage Advisory Group of the Department of Canadian Heritage and served on the National Broadband Task Force, chairing the Social Benefits and Challenges Working Group. She is on the Board of the Media Awareness Network, which has a partnership with CLA through the Web Awareness Program. Ms. Newman has also been a member of the Smart Communities Blue Ribbon Panel and the Advisory Group on Connectedness of the Conference Board of Canada. At home, she is on the Liaison Committee of the Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford Campus and Chair of the Board of the Brant Business Information Network. Ms. Newman brings to this position experience in a number of library settings: academic library service in York University and Osgoode Law School libraries and special library service in the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety; Coordinator of the Library Technician program at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology; and public library service in Hamilton and Brantford. Founded in 1946, the Canadian Library Association (CLA) is the national English language library association representing Canada's estimated 58,000 library workers. It is a registered charity, governed by an elected Executive Council, which is advised by over thirty interest groups and committees. Its divisions represent libraries in colleges and universities, municipalities, governments, private companies and schools. The mission of CLA is to promote, develop and support library and information services in Canada. Its priorities focus on public policy, continuing education and members' services. Media Contact: Peter Wilson Communications Coordinator (ext. 320) [log in to unmask] Canadian Library Association 328 Frank Street Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K2P 0X8 (613) 232-9625; Fax: (613) 563-9895 http://www.cla.ca