2025 Picard Trust Award Winners

Burnaby Public Library is pleased to announce that J.J. Watson-Mackay and Bryn Shaffer are the 2025 recipients of the Picard Trust Awards. Both J.J. and Bryn will receive a scholarship of $2,500 each to apply toward their Master of Library and Information Studies.
 

It was only a few years ago that I started considering a career in libraries, and it's in large part thanks to a past recipient of this award and a librarian at Burnaby Public Library (BPL). One day while visiting BPL, I asked for some help finding some picture books to read with my son, based on his love of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. The librarian helped me find several wonderful books by the same author, and soon after another question crossed my mind. How does one become a Librarian? She indulged my curiosity, taking the time to tell me about the Master of Library and Information Studies programs in Canada and her grad student experience in Library School at UBC, all of which left me inspired to explore this path as well. That librarian is one of many generous people who have since encouraged me, going out of their way to help me see a place for myself in this field. To the others who guided me and to the person who first told me about the Picard Trust Award. To Vancouver Black Library (VBL), UBC iSchool and the iSchool Students of the Global Majority (iSGM) - your kindness, knowledge sharing and earnest ambitions are so wonderfully sustaining. It is an honour to receive this award. Today, I'm one year into the MLIS program and my path keeps getting better. I'm working as a Student Librarian at UBC Library, volunteering as a Librarianette at VBL, and collaborating on community care projects with iSGM. Thank you for making the journey that much lighter!

-J.J. Watson-Mackay

I’m honored to be a recipient of the Picard Trust Award and am deeply grateful to the Burnaby Public Library for this support. As a BIPOC MLIS student continuing my studies with a PhD in Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia, I spend much of my time at the Burnaby Public Library studying. The library has been where much of my research has taken shape, and where I have been able to take part in community even while being a grad student. My research is grounded in intersectional approaches, exploring how labor and technology intersect alongside systems of oppression such as capitalism and colonialism to shape contemporary understandings of self. To be supported to continue this research from a space that has actively nurtured my academic journey is incredibly meaningful, and I am thankful to the BPL for its initiatives that support equity, diversity, inclusion and students like me to continue our studies.

-Bryn Shaffer

Congratulations to J.J. and Bryn, and we’re wishing you the best as you complete your programs!