For your information. ---------- > From: Stephen Abram <[log in to unmask]> > To: Stephen Abram <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: CLA, The Federal Election and You > Date: 1 mai 2004 22:52 > > Fellow Canadian Library Leaders: > > I am writing to ask you to post this message below to your provincial, territorial and association members through yur discussion lists and websites. We believe that it is important for us all to be active in the coming federal election. A national representation of Canadian library leaders helped to assemble the website links and the CLA PDF document that attempts to capture our hopes and dreams for action on the library movement in the national arena. We are encouraging the Canadian library community to be very active in encouraging our political leaders to be more informed about issues about libraries and the information and knowledgeibased economy. We hope these issues get the discussion and debate and that all of the Canadian library community invests time and effort in assuring that we are successful. Please feel free to add a personal note to your your members. Thank you. > > Stephen > (CLA President-elect) > > > > > > > An Important Message for the Canadian Library Community > > > > The Canadian Library Association believes that we are at a critical juncture in the development in libraries in our country. The next federal election, expected this year, is an excellent opportunity to improve the quality of Canadian policy debate and information about the important role libraries play in the nation’s success. As Canada grows to become an economy and society based on knowledge, innovation and creativity, the role of library services and resources becomes more essential and vital. > > > > CLA feels that it is important that the library community shows leadership in carefully articulating the national role of all libraries and the important role the federal government plays in partnering with libraries to improve Canada’s learning, research, governments and communities. This upcoming federal election is a key opportunity to remind voters of the role of supporting the critical work, innovation, resources and impact of: > > * Universities, colleges and research institute libraries > > * School libraries – public, separate and private > > * For-profit and not for profit specialized libraries > > * Public and community libraries – large and small, urban and rural > > * Government libraries – municipal, provincial, territorial, federal > > * And more . . . > > > > The Canadian library movement has a significant place and role for every library worker – employee or volunteer, librarian, technician, clerk or page, trustee and funder. CLA encourages our sister specialized, provincial and territorial library associations across Canada to join us in encouraging their members, along with CLA’s members, to play an active role in informing the next generation of political leaders in our nation. This is a time for unity to clearly and effectively achieve our goals. In the coming weeks we will be providing ideas and support for efforts across Canada. > > > > We know Canada is at a crossroads and so are libraries. We know an election is coming. We must be prepared and nimble. CLA believes that an informed citizenry is critically important and that democracy depends on the foundation of an informed citizenry. Libraries play an essential, non-partisan role in providing the information that allows citizens to make informed decisions. Libraries make a difference. Libraries transform lives. > > > > You can find CLA’s political action and election readiness document in PDF file format on the CLA website, along with a selection of useful web resources that illuminate key issues. CLA is and will, of course, remain non-partisan. Canada needs an informed government and an informed opposition. > > > > CLA will update our website with more ideas, tactics, resources and news throughout the election. Check out (and bookmark) the election links from http://www.cla.ca <http://www.cla.ca/> . > > > > Please share our position document and links widely in the information and library community. Please prepare yourself to help inform voters on these important issues from the perspective of the library community. > > > > CLA commits to leadership. CLA commits to provide support for you. Our key message is: An investment in libraries is an investment in our nation’s future. > > > > We need your help. We need your energy. Please contact us for more information. > > > > Madeleine Lefebvre Stephen Abram Don Butcher > > President 2003-4 President 2004-5 Executive Director > > CLA CLA CLA > > [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Stephen Abram, MLS > > Vice President, Canadian Library Assoication > > > > VO, Innovation > > Sirsi Corporation > > 412 - 120 Perth Avenue > > Toronto, ON > > M6P 4E1 > > > > Cel/Bus: (416) 669-4855 > > Home Base: (416) 533-4855 > > [log in to unmask] > > > > How will you shape the future? > > > > > >