tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564723363608753750.post12170206524470024..comments2023-10-04T07:51:40.726-06:00Comments on Men's Sheds: Friends Remember Maureen Woods (Looking Back)punchjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16329886470412871234noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564723363608753750.post-45269581667716658382013-05-11T22:50:33.384-06:002013-05-11T22:50:33.384-06:00Moe was my boss, mentor, and friend. I remember s...Moe was my boss, mentor, and friend. I remember speaking with her for the first time. I was standing outside of my classroom in the hallway at SAIT. I had read about the system administrator position with SILS and was calling to find out more about the job. I hadn't really thought about leaving Calgary after my database program as I had plans to move into the corporate world as a database administrator. After speaking with Maureen that day, I had a very strong feeling that SILS would be in my future. The way she spoke about the things that SILS had accomplished and the plans for the Consortium was compelling to me. In that phone call, she reminded me of all of the wonderful, meaningful reasons to work in and for libraries. After meeting her in my interview in Regina, I knew that I wanted a chance to work for her and SILS.<br /><br />Throughout my career, I was always longing for someone to call mentor. Maureen took on that role for me. Her strength of character, intelligence, creativity, sense of humor, funky glasses, and her ability to guide me as I took on this challenging role with the Consortium gave me a model to strive for. She was always there to listen and advise me when I needed her and she never sounded bored when I would go on and on about computer issues. She always seemed to have time to share in my sense of accomplishment when I would, for example, complete a complicated piece of computer programming. She inspired me to be my best and gave me a continuing example of how to accomplish that.<br /><br />I always enjoyed my time with Maureen. I was always learning from her. She showed me that to be a strong leader as a woman, you do not have to abandon your sense of empathy or willingness to laugh and just be silly sometimes. Moe was basically brilliant. As a boss, mentor, and friend her ability to lead us all in our mission to help others through our service in libraries was tremendous. I will always carry a part of her with me. She will continue to inspire me and her example will always remind me of what it is to be a truly great human being.Lynn Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00053453182394122438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564723363608753750.post-7919460136580930962013-04-27T12:16:46.989-06:002013-04-27T12:16:46.989-06:00I first met Maureen sometime in the mid-80's w...I first met Maureen sometime in the mid-80's when I worked as Community Services Librarian for NWT Public Library Services. Maureen came to Hay River to facilitate a planning session for public libraries...but what she really brought to that event was pure inspiration.<br /><br />NWTPLS had gathered people from all over the North - community librarians, board members, adult educators, politicians, drug & alcohol workers, elders - anyone at all interested in exploring how a library might be a channel for building community in their hamlet or small town.<br /><br />Maureen talked about her work at RPL & La Ronge, but she also helped people realize they had the best knowledge about what was needed in their particular community. People went home to places like Ft. Simpson, Rankin Inlet, & Igloolik, and did some amazing work establishing their own "community defined" library service.<br /><br />Maureen was also one of a group of Prairie librarians (with Nita Cook, Barb Clubb, Ann Curry & others) who were always willing to help NWTPLS or Northern folks with advice or practical help. <br /><br />I crossed paths with Maureen often, as we both moved to jobs across B.C. and Alberta. And, as these tributes show, she was always a true leader in our field. I will remember Maureen most for her deep, almost intuitive, understanding of community development; and for her generosity in sharing her knowledge with me and many Northerners. She will be remembered.Barbara Jo Maynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564723363608753750.post-63231548372840369822013-04-26T09:46:18.390-06:002013-04-26T09:46:18.390-06:00I first met Maureen when we started at U of A libr...I first met Maureen when we started at U of A library school in 1975. Needless to say she was a breath of fresh air and probably the youngest in the class which consisted of a number of folks who graduated some years before and were rushing to complete the program before it became a two year program. Over the following 30+ years our paths crossed as we moved from province to province. Maureen was a wonderful partner in trying to ensure equitable access to information for all through library networking and resource sharing. No matter where we encountered each other food and drinks always played a prominent role and Maureen was a gracious hostess whether we met in a restaurant, bar, coffee shop or her home. She will be missed.Carrol Lunaunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564723363608753750.post-12380519401843401432013-04-26T08:21:44.219-06:002013-04-26T08:21:44.219-06:00Starting a new consortium is like herding feral ca...Starting a new consortium is like herding feral cats. Add in the fact that SILS was going to be province-wide and the degree of difficulty goes up exponentially. And yet, Maureen handled it all with grace and humour.<br /><br />As her staff at SILS we were observers and participants in the daily frustrations and joys. There were references to the patrons of "Upper Rubber Boot" (a Moe-ism heard frequently around the office) and reminders to consider communities both large and small.<br /><br />As Maureen's illness invaded with terrible swiftness, she remained upbeat and positive - more concerned with others than herself. And now we are left to carry on carrying on (as Maureen would say).<br /><br />Gerry Burla, Lynn Calhoun, Veronica Geminder and Lynn Reynish<br />SILS Staffhttp://www.sasklibraries.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564723363608753750.post-68214453260507166182013-04-25T13:33:01.423-06:002013-04-25T13:33:01.423-06:00Maureen was partly responsible for my acceptance i...Maureen was partly responsible for my acceptance into graduate library studies. As an applicant with tons of experience but 30 year old undergraduate grades, I had to argue my way in and Maureen was a significant support. I had the privilege a bit later to do a practicum at what was then Public Library Services for BC while Maureen was director. She and her staff were very generous with their time and expertise. I also had the privilege of being part of the several symposiums she held as part of the Libraries Without Walls strategic process. She was a visionary in the library field and facilitated significant programs for public libraries, some of which have thankfully survived the budget cuts. Deb Thomasnoreply@blogger.com