Vaughan Public Libraries receives four prestigious awards

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 16, 2023
Brian Capitao

Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) have been awarded four prestigious awards, which were presented by members of council at the Feb. 7 committee of the whole meeting.

One of the awards, included was the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence, presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport recognized VPL’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through its Belonging Initiative.

“On behalf of the City of Vaughan and members of council, I am pleased to congratulate Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) on receiving four awards recognizing outstanding leadership, creativity and innovation. VPL’s Board Chair Rose Savage and CEO Marge Singleton have each been recognized with awards for their role in expanding VPL’s offerings to serve our community today and into the future,” said Mayor Steven Del Duca.

The second award bestowed on VPL was the Minister’s Award for Innovation. This award recognized successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact in a community and are of continued value to public libraries. VPL received this award for its COVID-19 Research Group supporting the city’s emergency management team and members of council through the pandemic.

VPL also received awards for leadership. Rose Savage, the chair of the Vaughan Public Library board, was the recipient of the James Bain Medallion, public library member of the year award. While Margie Singleton, CEO of Vaughan Public Libraries received the W.J. Robertson Medallion, public librarian of the year award. Both awards were bestowed by the Ontario Library Association (OLA).

“These awards are built upon the hard work of everyone in the organization, and my thanks are extended to dedicated staff who make the remarkable commonplace,” said Singleton in a media release. “The OLA awards highlight the best in our profession and to win among an incredible field of nominees is a significant achievement.”

“All of us at Vaughan Public Libraries are looking forward to building on these successes as we grow to serve you better,” she added.