NEWS RELEASE
BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY
*******************************
After 24 years of service in libraries throughout the GTA and Simcoe County, Terri Watman has announced that she will retire from her role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library and Cultural Centre on Dec. 31, 2019.
Ms. Watman began her library career as a reference librarian at University of Toronto, Scarborough College and, after moving into the public library sector, held increasingly senior leadership roles in three York Region libraries before joining BWGPL as CEO in July of 2015. Ms. Watman has been instrumental in planning and executing significant changes to the service delivery model, including a renewed focus on customer service, readers’ advisory and enhanced programming, and outreach to the community.
Ms. Watman served as a steering committee member on the Simcoe Library Co-operative Immigrant Project and the Town of BWG’s Master Plan for Arts and Culture, and chair of the jury panel for the Public Library Service Awards. She has been an active member of the Administrators of Medium-Sized Public Libraries, the Human Resource Network of Ontario Libraries, the Ontario Library Association, the Simcoe County Chief Librarians Committee and the York Simcoe Library Consortium.
During her time at BWGPL, Ms. Watman reflected a passionate commitment to advancing the mission, vision and values of the Library for the benefit of Bradford’s diverse community. “It has been very rewarding to serve the residents of BWG in my role as CEO. I appreciate the support of the staff and volunteers who are committed to service excellence and developing meaningful relationships with the members of this great community.”
The BWGPL Board thanks Ms. Watman for her contributions and wishes her well as she embarks upon her next chapter. “Under Terri’s innovative, fiscally responsible and capable leadership, the BWGPL’s mission as a community gathering place providing access to knowledge, ideas and cultural experiences has truly been realized” said Ms. Jennifer Harrison, Library Board Chair.
The BWPL Board will begin a formal recruiting process to select Ms. Watman’s replacement.
The Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library and Cultural Centre serves the approximately 36,000 residents of BWG. The Library boasts an extensive collection of 100,000 books, DVDs and electronic resources, along with programs for children, teens and adults, and a wide range of cultural events. To learn more about the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, or to access our online services, visit our website at www.bradford.library.on.ca or call 905-775-3328.
**********************************
