Events Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the New Westminster Calendar © To September 18 Greenlinks 2004: The Urban Quilt Featuring works by Sherrill Hardy Amelia Douglas Gallery For gallery times, call 604-527-5495 September 9 Noon at New West presents Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble 12:30pm, Performing Arts Theatre Wenman retires — for now What does an academic librarian do? Just ask Joan Wenman. “Librarians Google,” she says, “but with added functionality.” Wenman, who recently retired from Douglas College, says she can’t take credit for the zippy comeback. “It was the winning comment ina contest called The Elevator Speech contest. You imagine that you are in an elevator and have a very short time to answer the question ‘Oh, youre an academic librarian, what does that mean?” says Wenman. The contest was held by the BC Academic Librarians in Public Service, or ALPS, a professional organization that Wenman helped get off the ground in 1990. Wenman worked at Douglas College for 23 years, starting in 1981 when the College split from Kwantlen. She's seen a lot of changes during that time, including watching the College go from multiple campuses, then to three and then to the current two. She has lived through the automation of library systems, first implemented in 1990, a huge job that she says was “actually not that painful.” Her major role for the past 15 years has been as the Collection Development Librarian, making sure the appropriate materials were purchased to support the academic curriculum. Her other major role has been as an instructor. “Librarians are partners in teaching, and instruct 7- 8,000 students a year in classes,” she says. “We teach them how to do research using electronic databases, ensuring that they have a positive teaching and learning experience. Many students don’t understand how to get the best advantage of the resources in the library, so a great deal of our teaching is how to navigate and use technology appropriately. Information is not necessarily all on the Internet.” She says that of all the things she'll miss about Douglas College, the main one is working with students. “It seems like a pretty platitudinous thing to say, but I'll really miss the students and their intellectual curiosity, seeing that green light turn on as they're learning. | shall also miss working with my colleagues and a wonderful service-oriented library staff.” For now, Wenman is taking the time to relax. She’s living in her home on Vancouver Island on Wenman Drive, ina farmhouse built in 1912 by her grandfather. “We're doing lots of renovations and keeping Home Depot well financed,” she says dryly. But like most College retirees she just can’t seem to stay away from the academic environment. “It’s scary to leave work that I’m so fond of, but it was time. I’m ready to tackle new challenges,” she says. “I’m going to try not to work for a year but | suspect that I'll be working as librarian again!” Joan Wenman, Academic Librarian, received her very own giant Douglas College library card, complete with a photograph of herself from 1981, at the retirement party thrown for her by her colleagues in June. Planning for success with student services If you know a new, returning or potential student, encourage them to visit the Student Services Open House where they'll find out what the College offers to help students succeed. Dubbed “Staying Afloat This Semester,” the Open House is a two-day event — Wednesday September 22 at the New Westminster Campus and Thursday September 23 at the David Lam Campus - that gives visitors a chance to explore the services offered by Douglas College. “The Open House is for everyone in our community, whether they're just exploring the idea of returning to school or have already chosen Douglas College and will be here this Fall,” says Liz Wilson, Student Services Operations Supervisor. “We'll have information available for people looking to upgrade their skills or start a new career, as well as information about our services for students who will be attending Douglas College this Fall.” The Student Services gang were on hand to display just a few of the prizes that will be available at the upcoming Student Services Open House, September 22 and 23. The David Lam Campus Open House will feature tours, Financial Aid Office drop-ins, mini- presentations in the Learning Centre, and bannock and clam chowder in the First Nations Centre. At the New Westminster Campus, displays and drop-ins will take place throughout the day in the Concourse and in all areas of Student Services. “One thing that is common to both Open Houses is the Treasure Hunt,” says Wilson. “Students pick up a questionnaire in the Atrium or Concourse and go to the different areas of Student Services to find the answers. They return the completed questionnaires to the treasure chests in the Atrium or Concourse and enter to win prizes donated by businesses in the College community.” The Student Services Open House runs from 10am-3pm at the New Westminster Campus and 9:30am-3pm at the David Lam Campus. For information contact Liz Wilson at 604-527-5418. afar Celebrating exceilence at Douglas College To acknowledge the significant contributions employees have made to the educational experience at Douglas College, two awards have been created: the Educational Excellence Award and the Team Effort Award. The Educational Excellence Awards honour faculty, staff, administrators and students who have made an impact on Douglas College. Congratulations to this year’s award winners! They are: Kamaljit Sahota, General Nursing, Student Award of Excellence. Dr. Bob Browne, Chemistry instructor, Faculty Award of Excellence. Brenda Pickard, Administrative Clerk, Administration and Ed Council, Staff Award of Excellence. Yvonne Mostert, Administrative Assistant, David Lam Campus, Administrative Award of Excellence. A new award created this year honours groups of two or more people who have made a significant contribution to Douglas College’s educational/business processes, student success, employee morale or customer service satisfaction. The Team Effort Award will be presented annually. This year’s winners are: The Douglas Development Team of Rita Chudnovsky, Jennifer Kirkey, Susan Smythe and Wendy Waidson, for the work they have done to enhance College life for all employees through innovative professional education in its broadest sense. The Therapeutic Recreation International Education Team of Cindy Bouvet, Lee Chamberland, Geri Paterson, Patricia Rachfall, Julie Roper, Janice Spencer and Laverne Thompson, for their work over a four-year period to successfully complete the delivery of the Therapeutic Recreation Diploma program at the Shanghai Teachers University in Shanghai. The Educational Excellence and Team Effort awards will be presented at the Employee Recognition event on Friday, October 29 at 4pm in the Upper Cafeteria. Check upcoming issues for more details of this event.