Governance & Goals
Thunder Bay Public Library Board 2011-2014
(l-r) Brian Donnelly, Ginny Czaczkowski, Jay Stapleton, (until March 2012) Bev McKinnon (Vice-Chair), Carol Grieve, Larry Hebert, Margaret MacLean, Barbara Philp (Acting Chief Librarian/CEO),
Terrence Yahn (Board - Chair), Laura Craig (Jan-Oct 2011) (missing) Frank Wilson Feb 2012
Bev McKinnon, Chair
A long time resident of Thunder Bay, Bev McKinnon is a life-long supporter of the library and is honoured to be serving on the Board of the TBPL.
Bev holds a diploma from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing and a BA from Lakehead University.
As a Nurse Manager, she was asked to research, develop and subsequently operate, Cardiac Education and Rehabilitation Programs for both St. Joseph’s General Hospital and the Port Arthur General Hospital. She managed these programs for 15 years.
Bev volunteered and served on the Board of The National Exhibition Centre/Thunder Bay Art Gallery for 3 years.
As a life long learner, she believes in promoting not only the importance of book culture, but also in emphasizing public awareness of the many information technology and extensive research capabilities the library offers to assist today’s students at all levels of learning.
Carol Grieve, Vice-Chair
Retired from Lakehead Public Schools after a forty year career as a teacher and elementary school administrator, Carol was born and raised in Thunder Bay. A lifelong learner, Carol received both her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies from Lakehead University.
Currently, she is semi-retired. She is a long time library member and avid reader.
From her career experience, she knows that the ongoing task of contributing to improve the quality and accessibility of literacy in Thunder Bay is highly important.
Carol feels privileged to work with the Board Members of the Thunder Bay Public Library to meet their long term vision and accomplish their strategic plan in order to serve the community members of Thunder Bay.
Ginny Czaczkowski
Ginny Czaczkowski is the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board representative to the Thunder Bay Public Library Board. She is a long-time library member, avid reader and supporter of the Thunder Bay Public Library.
A lifelong learner, Ginny received her M.Ed. (Educational Administration) from Lakehead University and her Supervisory Officer's qualifications from the Catholic Community Delivery Organization (CCDO) in Toronto. Ginny is a retired principal with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and is currently an educaitonal consultant with the Catholic School Board.
As an elementary educator for more than 30 years, Ginny has worked with students, youth, parents, teachers and educational support staff and volunteers to improve the quality and accessibility of literacy in Thunder Bay. Ginny looks forward to assisting the Board in meeting its strategic goals, and fulfilling its mission of nurturing the love of reading and pursuit of knowledge.
Larry Hebert, City Council Representative
Councillor Hebert was re-elected as an at-large Councillor in 2010 and re-appointed to the Thunder Bay Public Library Board in 2011. He is a graduate of LU - BA., Grad. Dip. Business and HBComm. and U of T. - MBA and spent 29 years at Thunder Bay Hydro with 20+ as General Manager. He is also a Life Member of the Human Resources Professionals of Ontario. He is involved in many local sports in various capacities and is currently President of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association - instrumental in bringing top flight amateur baseball to our region including the World Junior Baseball championship in 2010.
I use the library mostly for research on the various sports I am involved with and their local history. This includes extensive use of the microfilm resource at Brodie. I also use some of the website capabilities for Council Research. I still work as an energy consultant in many projects in our area.
Brian Donnelly
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Brian Donnelly, an elementary school vice principal, is the Lakehead Public Schools representative to the Thunder Bay Public Library Board. He brings 27 years of combined classroom and administration experience to his position as a board member. Brian obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Lakehead University and has subsequently earned additional specialist certificates and principal qualifications. Recently Brian has contributed to the improvement of student achievement, integrating computer technology and curriculum through several board and ministry initiatives. Brian is currently a Lakehead Public School’s representative on the Information Technology Committee. Brian’s goal is to enhance the partnership between Lakehead Public Schools and the Thunder Bay Public Library System by promoting programs, resources, and technology which will improve literacy skills and raise interest in reading for both students and adults in the community.
Margaret MacLean
Margaret MacLean has been an outstanding advocate for the public library in Thunder Bay. Since her first appointment by City Council to the Thunder Bay Public Library Board in 1992, Margaret has served as Chair and Vice-Chair on this Board. Margaret has since been appointed by City Council for another four-year term (2011-2014) on the TBPL Board. Her dedication and commitment to our library system has been evident throughout these years as she has assumed leadership roles in chairing committees for the board (Policy & Planning, CEO Search Committee, Strategic Planning Committee) as well as fund raising for the County Park Library and the new soon to be opened M.J.L.B. Library. Margaret has volunteered on other Thunder Bay committees, some of which include Arts & Heritage Thunder Bay (1996-2000), Arts in the Community Task Force. Canada Summer Games Cultural Committee (1979-81) and Cambrian Players community theatre group of which she was President 1978-1979. Mrs. MacLean has volunteered in the larger public library arena as she has been involved not just at the local level, but the regional, provincial and federal levels as well. Margaret has been acclaimed a director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries for a two year term 2011-13. She was a director of the Ontario Library Services North Board from 1995-2007 serving as Chair and Vice-Chair during her term of office. She has served on the Ontario Library Association (OLA) Board of Directors from 2000-02 and the Ontario Library Trustees Association (OLTA) from 2000-06 holding the President’s position from 2001-02. She was the OLTA representative from 2000-04 to the Canadian Library Association (CLA) and on the Executive Council of CLA from 2000-02. Margaret made a presentation to the General Government Committee on Bill 109 titled “Local Control of Public Libraries Act” in April 1997 defending the Public Libraries Act of Ontario. Margaret has made presentations at CLA, OLA, MLA (keynote speaker), OALT, OLS-North, and AALT conferences. Margaret has been involved with the public library since becoming a page at the Waverley Resource Library at the age of 14. After completing her Honors Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree at Lakehead University, she obtained her Master of Library Science Degree from the University of Toronto. Margaret also holds a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Masters of Education Degree from Lakehead University. She worked in the public library system as Children’s, Adult Services, and Reference Librarian until 1986, when she accepted a position of Chair of the Department of Library & Information Studies at Lakehead University administering and teaching in the Department until 2002 when the Library Technician Diploma program was canceled. At this time she was asked by the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities to administer the Bachelor Of Arts General program while teaching Technical Writing courses to engineers for the English Department. In 1999, Margaret received the Ontario Library Trustee Association Trustee of the Year and the Ontario Library Association James Bain Medallion for distinguished service as a library trustee. She has also been awarded a Lakehead University Senate Committee on Teaching Award.
Frank Wilson
I aspire to be a lifelong learner. And a vital tool in this journey is the public library system. My family and I have lived in some 8 communities big and small across Ontario. For us the Public Libraries are a key source of stimulation, recreation and exploration.
Having resided in this City since 1998, I admire the Thunder Bay Public Library for its track record of providing quality customer service and cutting edge programming. This is why I am proud to be a member of the Library Board.
My career to date has been in the public service field. I have held progressive management positions
with the Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment. Most recently, I have worked with the Lakehead Social Planning Council and the City of Thunder Bay. As a volunteer I have served on local boards and committees such as a Credit Union, a Nordic Ski Club, a legacy Running Race, a Cycling Club, and a Rails to Trails proposal, and Bikes for Humanity.
I have developed skills in areas such as community engagement, strategic planning, policy development, human and financial management, and program evaluations.
I am committed to working with the Board, the staff, the community groups and City Council to continue evolving high quality, inclusive library services for all the people of Thunder Bay and the surrounding area.
Barbara Philp, Acting Chief Librarian/CEO
