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7:00am National Librarian provides engrossing food for thought BRIGHT AND EARLY In the middle of our traditional OLA Super Conference snowstorm and before eight in the morning, the room was full and Roch Carrier, the National Librarian of Canada was providing engrossing food for thought. Brodart sponsors four first time conference delegates not become just "techie" ... we need to remember that we are more than just access to information... we are about education and using the information. UBRARIES ARE NOT DEAD! Technology can build wonderful connections, but the literature must always be there and be supported. In this day and age of networks and globalization, Canada needs to develop a competitive edge, and growing a population of critical thinkers who can work creatively will be our biggest edge. ROCH'S RANT Now, more than ever, sovereignty is a key issue ... I am a Canadian, I want Canadian content, I want my own identity, Iwantmyown understanding. And in the crush and global glut of information out there ... I want the world to know that there is a Canadian voice, I want the world to know that there is a Canadian knowledge base, I want the world to know that we have Canadian solutions to problems! .... We have to compete!" Wearing his treasured "Peter Gzowski" baggy sweater in an emotional tribute to his dear departed friend, Roch stressed the need to speak out and to do so with a clear Canadian voice. ...speak out on behalf of funding libraries, on maintaining the book rate, on ensuring that a new National Library facility (one without leaky pipes!) gets built! BE PROACTIVE! Roch made a personal commitment to raise the focus on kids and their school libraries ... "it's the beginning" he said, "kids are the beginning. Our strategy has to be built on kids and helping them grow. I try to visit a school library every three weeks to encourage kids and literature". Photo L-R: Ray Fernandez, Vaughan Public Libraries; Sherry Caibaisai, Mississauga First Nations Public Library; Franc Chenet, VP Marketing, Brodart; Joy Leslie, St Lawrence College; Jason Graham, Canadian Sales Representative, Bordart; Karen Foster, Georgina Island First Nations Public Library. New Partnership "This pairing is an ideal combination for customers, publishers and employees," said Stephen Abram. Through Micromedia' s strong presence in and knowledge of the Canadian marketplace, and ProQuest's strong sales network, it is anticipated that Micromedia ProQuest will become the premier information source in Canada. It will take the next three months to set a clear strategy... but it will be worth the wait. WITH ENORMOUS APPRECIATION TO SUPER CONFERENCE SPONSORS! Micromedia epixtech National Book Service (NBS) Brodart CVS Inc. The Bibliocentre Naylor Publication (Canada) EDU Reference and Partners Electric Library Canada Saunders Book Company Library Services Centre Pearson PTR Canada "We need kids who can read and think critically, and what we are growing is a generation of copiers! Kids who just click and paste and move the paragraphs around. We need teacher librarians, they are the knowledge leaders who teach the critical skill of getting the kids to learn to think!" Along this same line he warned public libraries not to think or look like banks ... implying that walls of workstations without the staff were not the way to go! Libraries must remember to Excellence recognized at OSI.A awards night Congratulations to all recipients who received an award from the Ontario School Library Association for their outstanding achievement, leadership and vision toward school libraries. Teacher-llbrarian(s) of the Year: Board and Mary KebaloPlata, Halton District School Board. Admlnistrator(s) of the Year: Michelle Catholic Regina, District York School Sandy Jones, Principal, Greater Essex County District School Board and Phil Gagnon, Principal, Media Services Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board.