Skip to main content

Shelagh Paterson

Executive Director
Ontario Library Association

Shelagh Paterson has been the executive director of the Ontario Library Association since 2008. Founded in 1900, OLA is a professional association that includes more than 5,000 members who work in the school, public, academic, and special library sectors. The association established the Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award to recognize the courage shown by individuals and organizations in defending the rights of library patrons to full access to information.

Shelagh began her library career at the CNIB Library. In her role as
Director, Advocacy Sales and Marketing, she was responsible for national programs and advocacy efforts to support accessible library services for people with print disabilities. 

In addition, she is a founding member of the Canadian Federation of
Library Associations/Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB), Canada¹s national voice for libraries.