READS Award of Excellence 2016                 

People often think that librarians read all day. Perhaps in a perfect world! The truth is, we do a lot more. I believe all librarians are heroes: every librarian is a hero to someone, whether a harried parent, a student with a project due tomorrow, or a job seeker. Librarians serve the public in many ways.

So what makes these nominees special?  They all go above and beyond, in small ways and large, for individuals, for communities, and for the wider world. Our friends and colleagues are nominated for sharing more of themselves, for doing always a little bit more for each person, for their libraries, and for this splendid profession we all love.

This year’s nominated librarians:

• Taught guitar and tie-dying; Promoted library services
• Demonstrated egg decorating; Engaged patrons in lifelong learning
• Offered crafting classes; Wrote grants, edited newsletters
• Organized scam-awareness and foot clinics for seniors
• Trekked through blizzards to conduct book discussions – literally!
• Developed delivery programs for the homebound
• Created programs to connect tech-savvy teens and tech-support seekers
• Initiated services that directly improved lives, and shared that knowledge
• Connected with and improved ever-widening circles of lives with energy, creativity and generous spirits

These are just a few of the actual accomplishments of our 5 Award nominees for 2016. Please join me in congratulating these outstanding achievers:

• Schuyler Selden Kingston Community Library,  Kingston
• Carolyn Crocker Lebanon Public Libraries,  Lebanon
• Nancy Norwalk Philip Read Memorial Library,   Plainfield
• Karen Frey                       Nesmith Library,   Windham
• Karen Ryan                     Wiggin Memorial Library,   Stratham

I’d like to thank all the people who took the time to write these thoughtful and very impressive letters to nominate such talented and dedicated librarians.

Our winner this year was selected for outstanding contributions to the advancement of library services. In addition to many regular and “Superhero” supervisory duties, this individual has created and managed programs that benefit seniors, homebound patrons, and teen patrons, and succeeded in connecting teens who can share their technical expertise with seniors in need of tech assistance. The winner also established and promoted a “Books on the Run” program to provide services to the homebound, and often shares that knowledge and experience with library peers, resulting in improved services not only in the local community but also in the wider library community.

Hats off to our 2016 READS Award of Excellence winner:

Karen Frey from Nesmith Library in Windham.  Congratulations, Karen!