Vaughan’s loss is Vancouver Island’s gain.

Rosemary Bonanno, chief executive officer of Vaughan Public Libraries, resigned this week after accepting a new post in British Columbia.

Bonanno announced Tuesday that her resignation from the job she held since 1994 was effective immediately. She leaves to assume the role of executive director of the Vancouver Island Regional Library on Sept. 10.

“It is with mixed emotions that I leave my position as CEO,” Bonanno said during her announcement. “I have enjoyed working at Vaughan Public Libraries during the dynamic changes in library services that have occurred during the last 13 years.”

During her time at the helm of Vaughan’s libraries, Bonanno received various awards and accolades, including the Ontario Library Association’s 2002 W.J. Robertson Medallion for Librarian of the Year.

Opened in 2004 under Bonanno’s leadership, the Pierre Berton Resource Library at Islington Ave. and Rutherford Rd. has won several awards including the Award of Excellence from the Ontario Library Association in January.

She leaves Vaughan’s comparatively small library system of just eight branches – seven physical and one electronic – for a system with 37 locations.

“I am excited about the new career adventure I am embarking on and the professional challenge of such a vast library system,” Bonanno said.

Vaughan Today 
Friday, September 7, 2007 
Page: 14
Byline: Philip Alves