Lou Duggan To Receive 2016 APLA Merit Award

April 16, 2016

The Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) has announced the recipient of the 2016 APLA Merit Award.

The Atlantic Provinces Library Association is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the APLA Merit Award is Lou Duggan.

The APLA Merit Award honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to library services in the Atlantic Provinces. Lou has been known for his mentorship, his leadership in regional and national associations, a strong record of research, his commitment to advancing the profession, and his outstanding dance moves at the annual APLA conference.

As one supporter wrote, “Lou exemplifies the scholar librarian model, striking an effective balance between professional practice, service to the community, and research.” Lou has been a professional Librarian for over 15 years. Currently Cataloguing and Metadata Librarian at Saint Mary’s University, he previously worked as Systems Librarian for Cape Breton University. Lou’s research distinguished him while completing his MLIS at Dalhousie University, followed by a Fellowship with the National Library of Medicine in Washington, DC. He has served as President of APLA, Chair of the Education Institute – a national continuing education program for library information workers, member of the Halifax Library Association Executive, and has worked on numerous projects and committees with The Partnership, CLA, Novanet and CAUL. As another supporter , “Lou has made a significant commitment to our professional community by strengthening the value and impact of our library associations !
across Canada.”

Colleagues who supported his nomination all noted his leadership and his mentorship. He is Chair of the Dalhousie School of Information Management Associated Alumni (SIMAA) which is in a period of rebuilding, ably lead by Lou. As an alumnus he has been a tireless supporter of SIMAA, and has served as a respected mentor to many students. A student intern mentored by Lou described him as “a great representative of the profession” who “works with students to reach their full potential.” Lou recently founded the Libraries NS Research Support Group, giving members an opportunity to share and discus research, practice presentations and strengthen library-related research in the province.

Please join us in honouring Lou Duggan at the Merit Award Presentation and Closing Reception on Tuesday, May 31th, at the Westin Nova Scotian during the APLA conference in Halifax.

For tickets or more information on the APLA 2016 Conference: https://apla2016.wordpress.com