Congratulations to the 2026 BCLA Award Winners!

May 20, 2026

In April, the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) awards were presented during the 2026 BC Library Conference.

Each year, BCLA presents overarching awards for outstanding work in libraries and  awards with a specific topic focus:

• BCLA Building Better Communities Award
• BC Academic Libraries Section Outstanding Contribution Award
• BCCATS J. McRee Elrod Leadership Award
• BCLA Honourary Life Memberships

BCLA Building Better Communities Award

2026 Recipient: Sarah Green and Barbara Reid

This award is for an individual or organization responsible for increasing the relevancy and impact of library service through partnership, collaboration, and building trust where little had previously existed. This year’s recipients are Sarah Green and Barbara Reid for the pilot partnership they did in 2025 at the Britannia Branch of the Vancouver Public Library with the REACH Community Health Centre, connecting community members with vital support such as housing, income assistance, and dental care.

BC Academic Libraries Section Outstanding Contribution Award

2026 Recipient: Carla Graebner

This award recognizes to an individual who works in an academic library (or team of academic library personnel) whose professional achievements have made a real difference to students, faculty, or colleagues in British Columbia. This year’s recipient is Carla Graebner for her many contributions to academic librarianship, particularly her leadership of GovInfo Day.

J. McRee Elrod Leadership Award

2026 Recipient: Tamarack Hockin

This award recognizes an individual or unit working in technical services that has demonstrated excellence and/or made a difference to users and colleagues in British Columbia in the area of technical services. This year’s recipient is Tamarack Hockin for her many contributions to the BC technical services community as a leader, connector, and champion of their important work.

BCLA Honourary Life Memberships

2026 Recipients: Christine Middlemass and Todd Mundle

Honorary Life Memberships are conferred upon members of the Association at or within five years of normal retirement age who the have made substantial and recognizable long-standing contributions to BCLA and to library service in the province. This year BCLA Life Memberships were presented to Christine Middlemass and Todd Mundle, who have both given generously of their time, energy, and care to BCLA and the BC library community throughout their careers.

(Via British Columbia Library Association)