June 17, 2010 - Top Douglas College librarian recognized for excellence

Carole Compton-Smith, Director of Learning Resources at Douglas College, is the winner of the Canadian Technical and College Libraries (CTCL) 2010 Award for Outstanding College Librarian.

The award recognizes Compton-Smith's many contributions to both the national and provincial college library community. Since coming from Nova Scotia's provincial library in 2000, Compton-Smith has helped build a library that continues to be a vital information resource in the digital age. She has been involved in many initiatives that have served both her college and the province, including the implementation of the AskAway virtual reference service, the Living Library initiative, Douglas College's Uganda Library project, and the BC Campus-Library 2020 initiative.

"We've seen huge increases in the use of our virtual reference materials, electronic databases and electronic collections," says the New Westminster resident. "We are always trying to make sure that we're meeting the needs of students."

Other innovations to under Compton-Smith have been less dramatic, but no less important to the continued vibrancy of the institution. These include renovations to open up the library to foot traffic, equitable hours of operation between the New Westminster and David Lam Campus library in Coquitliam and the expansion of all online services.

 "We're always looking at what other academic libraries are doing; we don't want to re-invent the wheel but we do want to be innovative in ways that serve our students best. We're learning new things all the time," she says. "We try to be as responsive to students as possible and that we're bringing in materials that are piquing their interests and meeting their needs. Students come to college to learn and the library is a big part of that."

Compton-Smith received the award June 4 at the Canadian Libraries Association National Conference and Trade Show in Edmonton.