For Immediate Release:
May 28, 2013
Stephen Abram Appointed Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries
Larry Stewart, Chair, Federation of Ontario Public Libraries / La Fédération des Bibliothèques Publiques de L’Ontario is pleased to announce that Stephen Abram will join the FOPL as the Federation’s Executive Director on June 10, 2013.
Stephen Abram is well known to the Ontario and international library communities. He is a renowned library thought leader, trend watcher and innovator and author of Stephen’s Lighthouse blog, one of the most popular blogs in librarianship. He has been president of the Ontario Library Association, the Canadian Library Association and the international Special Libraries Association. He received the 2011 CLA Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award in June 2011. He is also a strategy and direction planning consultant for libraries and the information industry as managing principal at Lighthouse Partners Inc. He has held international executive leadership positions at Cengage Learning (Gale), SirsiDynix, Thomson, ProQuest Micromedia, and IHS. He has lead several libraries and served on the advisory boards of six LIS schools. He was listed by Library Journal as one of the top 50 people influencing the future of libraries as one of the first LJ “Movers and Shakers.” He has been awarded the SLA’s John Cotton Dana Award as well as being a Fellow of the SLA. He was Canadian Special Librarian of the Year and Alumni of the Year for the Faculty of Information iSchool at the University of Toronto where he received the 2010 Outstanding Teaching Award. He speaks internationally on innovation, technology, marketing and strategic success in libraries and is the author of hundreds of articles as well as ALA Editions’ bestselling Out Front with Stephen Abram.
“I am thrilled to be joining FOPL” said Mr. Abram. “This is a critical time for libraries in Ontario. Public libraries’ impact on our province’s economic and social success as well as in preparing citizens and learners to succeed in the new economy has never been more important and vital. FOPL is well positioned to provide advice and research to libraries to enhance their success, and the success of all Ontarians. I look forward to strongly supporting the efforts of the FOPL Board and members.”
About the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries
The Federation’s strategic focus includes advocacy, research and development, marketing, and consortia purchasing. As ONE VOICE, the Federation ensures issues facing public libraries are presented in a consistent manner benefiting all public libraries across Ontario. The Federation provides all levels of government with a view of public libraries as a united, relevant and integral component for economic and community development worthy of strong and continued support.
The Federation also focuses on promoting the services provided by public libraries in Ontario, to highlight the economic and social value public libraries contribute to the development of our communities, and to strengthen the support of funding bodies and the community at large. It engages in research that provides insight into present and future environments, issues and developments facing public libraries. This reliable data can be used by public libraries as a base for strategic and operational planning and decision making, and to support advocacy efforts and marketing. The Federation also supports consortia purchasing options as a means to achieve economies of scale for Ontario public libraries, and to provide enhanced library services to all members.
The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries is a non-profit with a mandate to benefit Ontario public libraries through advocacy, research, and marketing.
La Fédération des bibliothèques publiques de l’Ontario est un organisme à but non-lucratif. Elle a comme mandat, de répondre aux besoins de toutes les bibliothèques, en concentrant leurs efforts dans la recherche, en marketing et en agissant comme plaidoyeur.
Press Contact:
Larry Stewart
Chair, Federation of Ontario Public Libraries
admin@fopl.ca
(416) 395-5638
Stephen Abram
Executive Director
sabram@fopl.ca
(416) 669-4855