In Memory of Madge Aalto, Director & City Librarian
It is with sadness that Vancouver Public Library marks the passing of former Director and City Librarian Madeleine (Madge) Aalto. Madge served as VPL’s Director for 14 years from 1988 to 2002. A highly respected member of the global library community, Madge will be missed by her friends and colleagues.
Passionate about libraries her entire life, Madge began her career at her high school library and continued her work as a librarian in a career that spanned five decades. She worked in library systems in many communities across Canada, providing leadership and vision and a drive to ensure libraries remained valuable public assets for patrons and communities.
Upon her arrival at Vancouver Public Library in 1988, Madge stepped into her new role as Director and immediately began work overseeing the development and building of the Central Library at Robson and Homer. This award-winning building, designed by Moshie Safdie with DA Architects, opened in 1995 and put VPL on the map of great world libraries.
In addition to seeing the vision of the new Central Library brought to fruition, Madge was also a powerful advocate for library services in all neighbourhoods of Vancouver. She laid the groundwork for many of the neighbourhood libraries that Vancouver residents enjoy today and was instrumental in the establishment of the award-winning Renfrew Branch, which opened in October 1994.
Madge was of the generation of library professionals that ushered in significant technological advancements for library systems. Under her tenure, VPL would see the introduction of Internet-enabled public computers and the transition from card catalogues to online library services.
In 2002, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal, recognizing her 50 years of passionate work advocating for libraries and their patrons.