President’s Report
by Sylvia Provenski

Stand up and be recognized…Yes, you!

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Cheryl Campbell on receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Literacy. Cheryl, the Past President of Literacy Partners of Manitoba, has devoted 20 years of her life to helping others improve their lives through education.

It is so rewarding to be recognized by those around you for your efforts. Everyone who works in the field of literacy is there because he or she truly cares, and is worthy of some kind of recognition. I applaud Cheryl and all of the other nominees for their kind, caring, tireless efforts to help others.

There is one lady who does not see herself as eligible for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal because she does not work directly with adult learners, but who I feel is very deserving of a medal for her understanding of and commitment to adult learners and adult learning. That woman is Marg Rose, Executive Director of Literacy Partners of Manitoba.

I first met Marg at a conference in Brandon shortly after I began working in literacy. I was so taken by the energy and enthusiasm she exhibited. I watched her as she worked so comfortably and compassionately with everyone around her, whether they were learners or executives. She answered every question posed to her with intelligent and thought-provoking answers.

It was Marg’s infectious enthusiasm, and her undying commitment to literacy, that inspired me to make the decision to become a part of the Literacy Partners Board of Directors. This has been one of the most rewarding roles of my life. I have spoken with many others who have become involved in literacy for the same reason.Through Marg’s hard work and dedication Literacy Partners is truly the “voice of literacy” in Manitoba.

Finally, I would like to thank Bunny Cobb for her many years of loyal and dedicated service in the library. Bunny is retiring in June. All of our members will join me in thanking Bunny for her friendly, helpful, cheery advice at the library, over the phone and on the listserv. A tribute follows. In closing, I would like everyone to rise, as I toast Cheryl Campbell, Marg Rose, Bunny Cobb and all the other wonderful, dedicated people who give their lives to literacy and learning everyday…yes, that includes YOU!

LPM thanks Bunny Cobb

A chapter in the history of LPM comes to a close in June, with the departure of Bonita Cobb, Resource Centre librarian. “Bunny” is the most senior staff member in LPM’s thirteen-year history. She has seen the office staff and space change dramatically from its cramped origins in the basement of Augustine Church, to its current vibrant 1200 square feet in the Grain Exchange building with doubled staff support to the membership.

Bonita came to LPM with her Master’s of Library Science degree, and past experience at the U of M library system and Red River College. She also instructed in the Library Tech program there.

Bunny has many accomplishments to her credit during her tenure with LPM.

She was instrumental in organizing a ragtag collection of assorted donated books into a cohesive thematic library for the adult literacy practitioner and tutor and learner, overseeing the acquisition of more than 3000 new titles since 1993, and distributing another 1000 donations to the field . She has supervised and encouraged library volunteers to donate hundreds of hours to assist in the weekly maintenance tasks of the library.

She created the first travelling trunks of resources on Disabilities and Family Literacy.

Bunny represented literacy concerns to the boards of the Canadian Library Association, the Manitoba Library Association, and staff of the Winnipeg Public Library. Last spring she presented a day-long overview of adult literacy materials to sixty librarians.

On-line catalogue
She created and published an on-line catalogue of resources in the LPM collection as a template from which future merged listings will be based. She credits the expert help at NALD for this functional, attractive feature on our website. Please salute these hard workers as you try the interactive catalogue at http://www.mb.literacy.ca

“Bunny delighted in the finer points of the English language and was often called upon to rule on a nicety of style or settle a grammmatical dispute,” said Charles Moody, editor of Write On!

“We wish Bunny well in all her future endeavours,” Marg Rose stated. “ She will be travelling extensively, albeit virtually, throughout Manitoba in the coming year. She has a part-time position compiling abstracts on-line for the Government of Canada Information on the Internet project. We’ll see her in cyberspace!” Bunny looks forward to spending more time with husband Gary and son Bob.

Welcome back Regina
Regina Ramos-Urbano returned from maternity leave to resume her position as technology co-ordinator for the Adult Literacy Continuing Education Branch. She will be programming workshops on the integration of technology into the adult lteracy classroom. Regina wrote the Power-Up curriculum, and has expertise in employability and career-preparation modules. She can be reached at 945-8708 or rramos-urbano@edu.gov.mb.ca