Sponsorship

The Ottawa Chapter/Section d’Ottawa annually budgets a special fund to sponsor students in the Library and Information Technician Program at Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology the opportunity to attend the OALT/ABO Conference.

Background:

In 1982, OALT/ABO’s Ottawa Regional Branch/Section Regionale d’Ottawa (ORB/SRO) launched a “Bursary Fund” dedicated to helping local Library Technician students.  Its goal was to sponsor one or two students to attend the OALT/ABO Annual Conference.

In those early days, economic realities often dictated how this money would be distributed.  In spite of the challenges, though, the “Bursary committee” still was able to offer students conference registrations or cash bursaries.

Then, in came Jean Desislets.  As Ottawa’s President through the latter 1980’s, Jean worked tirelessly to promote OALT/ABO to students in anticipation that they would become Graduate Members and take on leadership roles in the Association.  Over time, her efforts and skill in raising contributions was rewarded with a more consistent fund used to send students to the conferences.

Jean Desislets passed away on July 4, 1990 at the age of 37.  Shortly thereafter, in recognition of her dedication, the Executive renamed its “Bursary Fund” the Jean Desislets Student Sponsorship Fund.

In the decades following Jean’s passing, the Chapter has maintained this special budget with the addition of Bank Interest from a GIC as well as private donations.

Evolution of the Fund: 

The Ottawa Chapter/Section d’Ottawa has been very lucky that its members have been following in the footsteps of Jean Desislets in recognizing the importance of Library and Information Technician students.   However, one such supporter who stood apart from the rest was Pat Graham.

Pat, in fact, was part of the first graduating class of the Library Technician Program at Algonquin College in 1972 and she was a founding member of OALT/ABO in 1973. She spent over 40 years volunteering at Association conferences and working in committees both on the Chapter and the Association level.  Furthermore, during speaking engagements before groups of graduates and students, she often detailed how a Library and Information Technician can benefit from membership in the Association.

In 2013, Pat was awarded a Lifetime Membership in OALT/ABO in recognition of her commitment to the Association.

On April 28, 2019, Pat Graham passed away at the age of 88.  Therefore, as a lasting tribute to Pat and in keeping with the foundation set by Jean, the Ottawa Chapter/Section d’Ottawa has re-branded the annual conference subsidy as:  The Pat Graham Student Sponsorship Fund. 

For information about donating or if you require any additional details please contact:  ottawa@oaltabo.on.ca