Skip to content


2011 CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award

I am so surprised, honoured and humbled to be given this honour. I can’t believe that my name is being added to the list of previous honourees – all people I personally consider role models and idols. I almost didn’t post this announcement for fear of looking tacky but people are posting things on their blogs, Twitter and on my wall so I might as well link to the press release.

For Immediate Release

2011 Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award Announced by the Canadian Library Association

(Ottawa, March 25, 2011) – The Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques is pleased to announce that the 2011 CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award is being presented to Stephen Abram of Gale Cengage Learning. The CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award is generously sponsored by Bowker.

Stephen epitomizes distinguished service: in his selfless contributions to this profession, his incredible intellect, and his willingness to sacrifice popularity for what he feels is right for librarianship. Stephen consistently demonstrates responsibility to the library profession. A one-of-a-kind librarian who,when he speaks around the world never fails to identify himself as a Canadian librarian, is willing totake risks, make tough decisions, and do whatever he can to further librarianship. He has volunteered countless hours to three of the foremost library associations in North America: CLA, OLA and SLA, sometimes working away in the background on committee tasks, and other times leading the associations as President – of all three.

The following from Stephen’s C.V. shows the range and depth of Stephen’s travels through the library world over the past 3 decades: An experienced library and information industry leader with a strategic planning, product development, administration, online technology, rights negotiation, association leadership, education, publishing and marketing background. A team player with proven conceptual, analytical, and creative abilities. Able to manage cross-functional teams, complex relationships, research, keynote and board presentations, as well as market, product, service and strategy development.

Perhaps his greatest contribution to librarianship is his fostering of younger librarians. Stephen teaches, mentors, gives lectures and courses, and presents conference papers and much more. He also shares his wealth of knowledge by writing, blogging and using the internet and various other media to the fullest. He is probably one of the most connected and best connected in our field. He uses these tools not just for himself but to share with others. Stephen’s generosity of spirit and ideas is well known.

The CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award will be presented at the CLA Closing Ceremonies, to be held Saturday, May 28th during the CLA 2011 National Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques is Canada’s largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.

– 30 –

Media Contact: Gary Gibson, Chair, 2011 CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award Committee, (866) 458-2264, [email protected]

I am so looking forward to seeing so many friends and colleagues in Halifax at the CLA 2011 Annual Conference. I haven’t missed a CLA Annual in decades and I’m not about to start now! Please join me there. We have a lot of work to do. And besides, one magic word, Lobster.

Stephen

0 Shares

Posted on: March 26, 2011, 11:37 pm Category: Uncategorized

6 Responses

Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.

  1. Congratulations, Stephen – this is well-deserved!

  2. Molly Raphael said

    Congratulations, Stephen–such an honor and so well deserved! I’m sorry that i won’t be there to see you receive it.

  3. Congratulations! I am so pleased for you!

  4. Congrats Stephen! I’m not going to be around for CLA this year to congratulate you in person tho. You going to APLA at all this year?

  5. Congratulations Stephen, I have always thought your insights and clear instructions about future trends are right on the money and help keep me in front of the curve (as much as is possible now!).
    Good for you!
    ~ Robert Hubsher, Director, Ramapo Catskill Library System, NY.

  6. Gayle Comeau said

    Congratulations, Stephen. You deserve it . And happy birthday!
    Besties
    Gayle Comeau
    Glendon College, York UniversityToronto