Two Langley politicians were honoured for their service to libraries, at the B.C. Library Trustees Association conference on April 9 in Victoria.
Township Councillor Grant Ward, who served on the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) board from 2002–2010, received the Super Trustee Award for his contributions to local libraries and for his work with the FVRL Board.
He was commended for his frequent attendance at library events as well as his unwavering commitment to libraries as “jewels” of the community.
Ward was applauded for the honour at Monday’s council meeting.
Mayor Peter Fassbender, the current chairman of the FVRL board, received two awards: the Super Trustee Award, in honour of his support of his local library, as well as the prestigious Nancy Bennett Merit Award for his outstanding service to B.C. libraries at regional and provincial levels.
BCLTA paid special tribute to Fassbender who, when B.C.’s libraries faced the possibility of provincial funding cuts, lent his expertise to develop effective strategies that mitigated the crisis, and then exerted his influence to enhance public libraries’ relations with the provincial government.
FVRD director Bill Dickey said that when a strong voice was needed to ensure the provincial government did not lose sight of the importance of the B.C. library system, Fassbender’s abilities “could not be surpassed.”
The B.C. Library Trustees Association represents more than 65 library boards and more than 650 library trustees who govern local public libraries throughout the province.