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Lillian Zimmerman joined Douglas College in 1971 as a programmer for the Liberal Arts Division with the expressed desire to develop credit-free courses in the area of continuing education for women. Beginning in 1972, she worked with staff from the Counselling department to offer workshops and inter-disciplinary evening courses, which proved popular. In 1974, she was elected to the position of "Convenor" of Women's Studies at Douglas College. Zimmerman held this role until 1978 when she took a leave from College in order to complete a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of British Columbia. Following her return to Douglas College, Zimmerman worked as a regular faculty member in Human Services and Community Programs. She became the Chair of Community Programs and Services in 1990 before retiring in 1991. Subsequent to her retirement from Douglas College, Zimmerman became a renowned advocate for the rights and dignity of middle-aged and older women. She was a Research Associate in Gender Issues at Simon Fraser University's Gerontology Research Centre, contributing significantly to the field and publishing multiple books on this topic including “Bag Lady or Powerhouse?: A Roadmap for Midlife (Boomer) Women” and “Did You Just Call Me Old Lady? A 90-Year-Old Tells Why Aging Is Positive.”

The Office of Director of Libraries (a position originally called Chief Librarian) was responsible for the management of librarians and staff while also leading the development of library policy, coordination with other branches of the College, and generally providing for the administration of the libraries at each of the seven campuses by the end of the 1970s.

The library as a department within the College began in January 1970 with the appointment David R. Williams as Chief Librarian. By the end of the first academic year there were fully functioning libraries at the New Westminster, Richmond, and Surrey campuses. These libraries were housed in the modular, prefabricate buildings ubiquitous at Douglas College during its early years. The collection of books and other materials was originally processed through an agreement with Simon Fraser University. The library's first ten years were characterized by rapid growth as new campuses with libraries were opened in Coquitlam, Langley, and Surrey's Newton town centre. Library services were also available at the Maple Ridge campus and the Agnes Street annex in New Westminster. When Douglas College was "split" to create Kwantlen College, the library's collection and personnel were also divided between the two institutions. Williams went on to become the Vice-President of Kwantlen College and was succeeded as Director of Libraries by Virginia Chisholm.

In 1982, the Coquitlam and New Westminster libraries were amalgamated in the recently completed permanent campus at Royal Avenue in New Westminster. This roughly coincided with a reorganization in which the Department of Learning Resources was created to oversee the direction of both the library and Instructional Media Services (IMS).

Penny Swanson was a Technical Services Librarian at Douglas College. She served as interim Director, Learning Resources between 1999 and 2000. Swanson also served on the Education Council (2002-2003) and the Douglas College Board (ex officio).

Carole Compton-Smith held the position of Director, Learning Resources from 2000 to 2011. She received a Master of Library and Information Science (MLS) from the University of Toronto in 1976.

Penny Swanson was a Technical Services Librarian at Douglas College. She served as interim Director, Learning Resources between 1999 and 2000. Swanson also served on the Education Council (2002-2003) and the Douglas College Board (ex officio).

Debbie Schachter served as the Director of Learning Resources at Douglas College from 2011 to 2017. Prior to joining the College, Schachter held administrative positions at the Vancouver Public Library and the B.C. Courthouse Library Society. She received a Master of Library Science (MLS) from the University of British Columbia in 1990 and a Management of Technology MBA from Simon Fraser University in 2002.

Dr. George C. Wootton served as principal of Douglas College from its inception in 1969 until 1979. Born in Saskatchewan and raised in British Columbia, Wootton graduated from North Vancouver High School and received his BSc, MASc, and PhD (in metallurgical engineering) from the University of British Columbia. Before his appointment to Douglas College, he worked for the Department of Mines in Ottawa, Atomic Energy Canada in Chalk River, and Seneca College in Toronto where served as Dean of Engineering.

During Wootton's tenure at Douglas College, satellite campuses were added in Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Pitt meadows, and White Rock. His principalship saw the development of career programs in the area of psychiatric nursing, clinical health, child care, and community service work. Other programs initiated during this time were in the fields of criminal justice, women's studies, graphic arts, theatre, and environmental studies.

Wootton left Douglas College in 1979 to become director of the Vancouver Public Library.

Blaine Jensen joined Douglas College in June 2004 when he succeeded Albert Atkinson as Vice President, Educational Services. He held this position until May 2015. Prior to arriving at Douglas College, Jensen held administrative positions at the University of Prince Edward Island and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.

Albert L. Atkinson joined Douglas College in 1982 as Director, Student Services & Developmental Education. In 1989, he became the Dean of Educational and Student Services, a position he held until 1995, when he was appointed Vice-President, Educational Services. Atkinson was in this role until his retirement in 2004. Atkinson was a member of the Douglas College Foundation (1991) and the Education Council (1994-1995, 1997-1999).

During his 32 years of service at Douglas, Atkinson championed the needs of students with disabilities or who face barriers to education and employment. As such, a bursary was established in his name at the time of his retirement for students engaged in Vocational Education and Skills Training, or VEST, (formerly known as Adult Special Education) programs.

Peter Greenwood was hired as Bursar in 1988, a position that was changed to Vice President, Finance and Administration following a partial administrative reorganization at the college in 1995. He remained in this role until 2001. He was also a Douglas College Foundation board member from 1989-1999.