# DEPARTMENTS / DÉPARTEMENTS

## A word from President

In my last "A word from the President" I reported on an event held at McGill on 1 May 2006 to dedicate a Parks Canada plaque in honour of Margaret Ridley Charlton, a historical figure of whom we as health librarians can be justly proud.

Normally, when we think of historical figures, they are, like Ms. Charlton, figures of the past who are no longer among us. I would like to use this, the last "A word from the President" column to appear in the *Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association*, to honour a historical figure who is still very much alive and "among us"", as the photo of her boating this summer will attest. I'm referring to none other than Muriel A. Flower (known to her friends as Babs), author of *Libraries Without Walls: Blueprint for the Future* (also known as *The Flower Report*), a document which turns 20 years old in 2007 and that served as the catalyst for much of the change that has occurred in Canadian health sciences libraries in the years since it was published.

As coincidence would have it, as the report she produced approaches a milestone year, Ms. Flower herself reached her own milestone, turning 90 years young on 1 November 2006.

Ms. Flower spent much of her health sciences library career as the nursing librarian at McGill before taking on the monumental task of heading the committee that carried out the data gathering for *The Flower Report*. It should also be noted that she was one of the "Group of Sixty" initial members who joined the Canadian Health Libraries Association / Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada (CHLA / ABSC) in its first year of existence, was responsible for local arrangements for the first CHLA / ABSC annual meeting held in Montréal in conjunction with the Canadian Library Association in 1977, and served as CHLA / ABSC's second (first-elected) president in 1977–1978. Truly someone who has made more than a passing contribution to our Association and to our profession!

I'm sure all CHLA / ABSC members will join me in wishing you a Happy Birthday, Babs! Long may you ride the waves!

Linda Slater
CHLA / ABSC President

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /><figcaption>Photo: Courtesy of David Crawford.</figcaption></figure>