LAC LA BICHE – For Maya Fisher, being the new library director for Lac La Biche County Libraries has been a great experience so far.
Fisher took over the position of library director from Maureen Penn, who retired in December after 15 years in the role.
Relocating from a large Canadian city to small town Alberta can be a significant adjustment for many people. And while packing up and moving from Winnipeg was a big move for Fisher, she has been enjoying living in rural Alberta.
“The community has been very welcoming and the staff at the library are amazing,” Fisher told Lakeland This Week.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Political Sciences at the University of Winnipeg, Fisher, who was interested in a career in libraries, decided to pursue a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS). She did this at the University of Ottawa.
Through her time as a graduate student in Ottawa, Fisher worked in one of the research libraries at the Department of National Defense, in data management with Health Canada, as well as in the library at Saint Paul University.
After graduating, Fisher, who is fluently bilingual in French and English, settled in Winnipeg where she worked as the librarian and branch head at the St. Boniface Library Branch with the Winnipeg Public Library. Then, she headed to Lac La Biche.
Concerning what her goals are as the new director of Lac La Biche County Libraries, Fisher said with the library currently working on its next strategic plan, she looks forward to helping develop the plan and ensure the libraries continue to meet the community’s needs.
“As library director, I would like to continue fostering a sense of community within the library and ensure it is a welcoming space for everyone,” Fisher stated.
When asked what aspects of libraries she enjoys the most, Fisher explained that she appreciates not only the fact they are they a safe and welcoming space for all, but that the library space can take many forms, whether that be a quiet place to study, a venue to meet up with friends, or simply a place to come as a family, or to attend programs.
“I love the ability of libraries to foster a sense of community,” Fisher said. “As an avid library user myself I also appreciate that libraries make a wide range of resources available to their users.”
When she isn’t working with books, Fisher loves doing ‘crafty’ hobbies, such as crocheting, sewing, quilting, and cross stitch. She is also an avid outdoorsperson, and being adjacent to the natural wonders of the Lac La Biche region has been a considerable advantage of living here.
“I like being so close to so many parks as I enjoy going out skiing in the winter and camping and cycling in the summer. I'm also looking forward to exploring the area more with the nicer weather on its way,” she said.
