Joan Jarman was been an integral part of the Prince George Public Library for 20 years, serving as its Manager of Marketing and Development before her retirement. Joan's contributions to the preservation of local history have often been centred around her involvement in the community through the public library and a variety of local organizations.
Joan has been a member of the library's Local History Committee since 1983 and was instrumental in planning and promoting the public library's first local history program, held in 1984. The program, titled "The History of the Rail" was awarded the American Library Association's prestigious "John Cotton Dana Public Relations Award". Joan was one of the key organizers for the City of Prince George's 70th and 75th Birthday celebrations and for the Alexander Mackenzie Bicentennial Commemoration in 1993.
The book Past Perfect: Prince George History and How to Find It, a tribute to Keith Gordon, was published in 2000 due in large part to Joan's enthusiasm for the project and her determination to see the book completed. Joan's knowledge of the city and its people are an invaluable resource to the citizens of Prince George.
For her continuing commitment to preserving Prince George's local history, Joan Jarman received the Jeanne Clarke Memorial Local History Award on February 16, 2003.