UVic Libraries Honorary Librarian and Archivist Award

3D printed key and certificate made out to Shelagh Rogers
Award recipients are presented with a key to the UVic Libraries. Credit: Dani Johnson

From time to time, the University Librarian may designate an individual to be an Honorary Librarian and Archivist of the University of Victoria Libraries. This designation is unique to the University of Victoria Libraries and signifies our commitment to honoring extraordinary individuals who possess ways of knowing and being that reflect the competencies and values of librarianship and archival studies.

Criteria

  • Extraordinary knowledge or professional and/or lived experience that warrants recognition
  • Expertise in a selected field(s) that has positive impact on areas of activities related to UVic Libraries
  • Demonstrated commitment to and/or advocacy for advancing library and information studies or archival studies
  • Reflects UVic Libraries Open, Engaged, Enduring values

Process

To be designated and appointed by the University Librarian on an ad hoc basis, and in consultation with the members of the Libraries Executive, usually no more than once a year. Any member of UVic Libraries may nominate an individual at any time by providing a written summary of how they fit the criteria.

Dave Obee

Credit: Darren Stone, Times Colonist

Dave Obee is Editor and Publisher of the Times Colonist daily newspaper in Victoria, British Columbia. He has been a journalist since 1972, working in British Columbia and Alberta.

He has written a dozen books on genealogy and local history, and has given more than 700 presentations at genealogical conferences and seminars in Canada, the United States, and Australia since 1997.

Dave researched and wrote The Library Book: A History of Service to British Columbia, a comprehensive look at library service and development over the past two centuries. The British Columbia Historical Federation named it one of the top three books in BC history in 2011.

He worked with UVic Libraries and other partners in the digitization of the Daily Colonist and the Victoria Daily Times, which are at BritishColonist.ca.

Dave was a member of the services consultation committee at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa for four years. He is also a former member of the board of Canada's History Society, which publishes Canada's History magazine and Kayak, a history magazine for children.

The University of Victoria has awarded Dave with an honorary doctorate of laws for his work as a historian, genealogist, and journalist.

Dave is also a recipient of the BC Library Association's Keith Sacre Library Champion Award, the top award for non-librarians, as well as the Bill Good award, given by the Jack Webster Foundation to recognize a BC journalist, leader, or educator who has made a significant impact in journalism and in the community at large.

2022: Shelagh Rogers

Credit: UVic Photo Services

Shelagh Rogers is a veteran broadcast-journalist at CBC Radio, currently the host and a producer of The Next Chapter, the program devoted to Canadian books and writing in Canada. Prior to this program, she hosted a number of national shows including This Morning, Morningside and The Arts Tonight. Through all that programming, she frequently relied on the CBC Reference Library.

In 2010, Native Counselling Services of Alberta presented Shelagh with their Achievement in the Aboriginal Community Award. In 2011, she was inducted as an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Also in 2011, she was named an Officer of The Order of Canada, for promoting adult literacy, advocating for mental health, and Truth and Reconciliation. In 2016, she received the inaugural Margaret Trudeau Award for Mental Health Advocacy. She holds eight honorary doctorates and is Chancellor Emerita of the University of Victoria.

Shelagh is co-editor of the Speaking My Truth series of books about truth, residential schools and reconciliation, and is honoured to have participated in the KULA Special Issue: Indigenous Knowledges, published by UVic Libraries.

In 2019, she was selected as one of the inaugural Library and Archives Canada Scholars for “individuals who have dedicated their lives to the creation and promotion of the country’s literary and historical heritage.”

It was a great honour being named an Honorary Librarian and Archivist of the University of Victoria Libraries. Shelagh has loved every minute being in the company of UVic librarians and always ensured their contributions to students’ academic success was acknowledged at every convocation ceremony over which she presided.