The School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, The iSchool at The University of British Columbia, regrets to announce the passing of its former director, Basil Stuart-Stubbs, who died in hospital May 29, 2012 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His wife, Brenda Peterson, a librarian with UBC Library, and his family were at his side.

Professor Stuart-Stubbs served as Director of the School from 1981 to 1992. His career with UBC began in 1956, when he joined the UBC Library as a librarian. He was named Coordinator of Collections in 1962, and appointed as University Librarian in 1964, serving in that position until 1981 when he accepted the position of Director of the School of Librarianship, soon renamed the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies. Under his leadership, the School admitted its first class in the brand-new Master of Archival Studies program in September 1981, alongside the already well-established Master of Library Science program. He oversaw construction of the School’s first computer laboratory, which quickly expanded. That work caught the attention of the American Library Association, which sent Professor Stuart-Stubbs a letter in 1988 commending the School for increasing the use of computerized information services for LIS students in an era of economic restraint.

As University Librarian, Professor Stuart-Stubbs was a key player in the creation of the University of British Columbia Press in 1971, and in 1977 he oversaw the creation of an inter-library lending network for provincial universities and colleges on behalf of the B.C. Ministry of Education.

During his career, he contributed as an author, editor and conference presenter on the topics of library history and education, publishing, copyright, and resource sharing. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, he was recognized with several awards over the years, including the Canada Medal in 1967, the Outstanding Academic Librarian Award from the Canadian Association of College and University Libraries in 1978, and the Order of Canada in 2005. He was presented with the Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award in 2004, for tremendous contributions to the British Columbia publishing industry, and was named a Professor Emeritus of UBC following his retirement from the University.

The family is planning a gathering for friends and family in late summer or early fall.

 

 

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Michelle Mallette MLIS

Student Services Coordinator | School of Library, Archival & Information Studies

The iSchool at The University of British Columbia | Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

470 – 1961 East Mall, Vancouver BC Canada V6T 1Z1

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