Diana's Speech
2004 SLSA Distinguished Service Award
Presentation Remarks: Diana Wyrwa, President, School Library Systems Association
SLMS Conference, Adams Mark Hotel, Buffalo
April 30, 2004
“It is my privilege this evening to present this year’s School Library Systems Association Distinguished Service Award to a fellow director who is known for his keen perception, insight and wit. A mentor to many school library system directors and a friend to all in the school library media profession, Mr. Angus Saunders is truly deserving of this award.
Angus Saunders has been the school library system director at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES School Library System since 1985. He has been the only director of the Jefferson-Lewis School Library System and they are, indeed, a fortunate system.
Angus is a leader for libraries in the “North Country.” He often acts as the facilitator for joint professional development opportunities with neighboring school library systems. He represents his regional school library systems on the Northern New York Library Network’s Automation Committee and serves as a member of his local public library board.
Angus Saunders’ contributions to the School Library Systems Association as an organization are numerous. Angus serves as the Vice-President for Legislation and Regional Representative to the School Library Systems Executive Board, chairperson of the School Library Systems annual conference, webmaster and listserv moderator for the association.
It is with great pleasure, gratitude and admiration that I present the 2004 School Library Systems Association’s Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Angus Saunders.”
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Angus' Speech
2004 SLSA Distinguished Service Award
Acceptance Remarks: Angus Saunders
SLMS Conference, Buffalo
April 30, 2004
Thank you, Diana, and all my School Library Systems Association Colleagues.
It is a privilege and an honor to receive this award. I am also grateful for the wisdom of past winners, who sagely advised that receiving the award is a two hand operation; the apple isn't attached, and it is heavy, capable of damaging both body parts and the self esteem. That is a prime example of how we librarians network and get the right information to the right person at the right time.
I mentioned network. Now that I am a member of a core group, and I have an apple to prove that, it's a good time to talk about community. When you look around at the hundreds of people gathered here, it's hard to believe that school librarianship is a lonely profession. Once you've been the only librarian in a building or a school district, it becomes more believable. Sometimes no one understands us but ourselves, so we need each other for the support and inspiration that we can share.
And that is where SLMS, NYLA, and our School Library Systems come in. They provide structures and opportunities to work together for our common good, and this certainly includes the understanding that only someone who has stood in the same shoes can give. As my SLS career winds down and retirement beckons in a year or two, that is one of the achievements I am proudest about, being a part of bringing people together for good.
Last year my fellow Apple Bearer Laurie Brooks gave you SLSA by the numbers, ten reasons to become an SLS Director. I can indeed confirm that you get to work with great people in the School Library Systems Association, and great librarians in the Jefferson Lewis BOCES SLS, and in the library community as a whole. Besides that, there is an eleventh reason, building vocabulary. You learn great new words, like segue. I can spell it, and I know what it means. It gives me license to make dramatic leaps in subject, just to make sure I say at least one good thing up here.
So let me go full circle to the right information to the right person at the right time. Tomorrow we will be returning home, many of us driving. Sunny days, dry roads and spring fever make us vulnerable to the radar guns of state and local constabulary. So, some advice. If you do get a ticket, don't be a good responsible citizen and pay it immediately. Instead, write the justice of the peace and ask for a reduction, telling them of your sterling record. You will still pay, but may very well get no points on your license. And there you have it. One good thing.
Thank you, and good night.
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Reception Pictures
2004 SLSA Distinguished Service Award
Presentation Remarks: Diana Wyrwa, President, School Library Systems Association
SLMS Conference, Adams Mark Hotel, Buffalo
April 30, 2004
“It is my privilege this evening to present this year’s School Library Systems Association Distinguished Service Award to a fellow director who is known for his keen perception, insight and wit. A mentor to many school library system directors and a friend to all in the school library media profession, Mr. Angus Saunders is truly deserving of this award.
Angus Saunders has been the school library system director at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES School Library System since 1985. He has been the only director of the Jefferson-Lewis School Library System and they are, indeed, a fortunate system.
Angus is a leader for libraries in the “North Country.” He often acts as the facilitator for joint professional development opportunities with neighboring school library systems. He represents his regional school library systems on the Northern New York Library Network’s Automation Committee and serves as a member of his local public library board.
Angus Saunders’ contributions to the School Library Systems Association as an organization are numerous. Angus serves as the Vice-President for Legislation and Regional Representative to the School Library Systems Executive Board, chairperson of the School Library Systems annual conference, webmaster and listserv moderator for the association.
It is with great pleasure, gratitude and admiration that I present the 2004 School Library Systems Association’s Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Angus Saunders.”
page top
Angus' Speech
2004 SLSA Distinguished Service Award
Acceptance Remarks: Angus Saunders
SLMS Conference, Buffalo
April 30, 2004
Thank you, Diana, and all my School Library Systems Association Colleagues.
It is a privilege and an honor to receive this award. I am also grateful for the wisdom of past winners, who sagely advised that receiving the award is a two hand operation; the apple isn't attached, and it is heavy, capable of damaging both body parts and the self esteem. That is a prime example of how we librarians network and get the right information to the right person at the right time.
I mentioned network. Now that I am a member of a core group, and I have an apple to prove that, it's a good time to talk about community. When you look around at the hundreds of people gathered here, it's hard to believe that school librarianship is a lonely profession. Once you've been the only librarian in a building or a school district, it becomes more believable. Sometimes no one understands us but ourselves, so we need each other for the support and inspiration that we can share.
And that is where SLMS, NYLA, and our School Library Systems come in. They provide structures and opportunities to work together for our common good, and this certainly includes the understanding that only someone who has stood in the same shoes can give. As my SLS career winds down and retirement beckons in a year or two, that is one of the achievements I am proudest about, being a part of bringing people together for good.
Last year my fellow Apple Bearer Laurie Brooks gave you SLSA by the numbers, ten reasons to become an SLS Director. I can indeed confirm that you get to work with great people in the School Library Systems Association, and great librarians in the Jefferson Lewis BOCES SLS, and in the library community as a whole. Besides that, there is an eleventh reason, building vocabulary. You learn great new words, like segue. I can spell it, and I know what it means. It gives me license to make dramatic leaps in subject, just to make sure I say at least one good thing up here.
So let me go full circle to the right information to the right person at the right time. Tomorrow we will be returning home, many of us driving. Sunny days, dry roads and spring fever make us vulnerable to the radar guns of state and local constabulary. So, some advice. If you do get a ticket, don't be a good responsible citizen and pay it immediately. Instead, write the justice of the peace and ask for a reduction, telling them of your sterling record. You will still pay, but may very well get no points on your license. And there you have it. One good thing.
Thank you, and good night.
page top
Reception Pictures
