The Central New York Library Resources Council is happy to announce our 2017 Library Award Winners in the categories of Library of the Year and Library Staff All-Star!
Library of the Year 2017
“I wouldn’t be able to get online without this library.”
CLRC’s Public Library of the Year is the DeRuyter Free Library in DeRuyter, Madison County. Our panel of judges noted that this library is a leader in its community and were impressed with the pride patrons take in it. Nomination submissions noted DeRuyter as being a stellar example of doing “much more” with modest resources. It was also noted that their staff of volunteers serve in nontraditional ways and that the library has a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere with a diverse collection of resources. Congratulations to DeRuyter!
“An inspiration and model for all schools within the CLRC region.”
CLRC’s School Library of the Year is C. W. Baker High School Library in the Baldwinsville Central School District, Onondaga County. Our judges were impressed with the engaging and creative activities offered at this library. Their innovative learning commons, created by Teacher Librarian Leslie Cartier, include a Genius Bar run by students, a stop-motion animation studio and learning zone. One nomination noted that the usage of library resources, databases and digital media has “exploded” in the past two years to positively affect student learning. Congratulations to Baker!
2017 Library Staff All-Stars
“Jane Verostek is a Library Staff All-Star by any measure.”
CLRC’s Academic Library Staff All-Star is Jane Verostek, Associate Librarian, Moon Library, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Onondaga County. Our judges were impressed with Jane’s advocacy for the importance of ESF’s Archives and Special Collections and her pursuit of funding to digitize and preserve these collections. They also found her work with students and towards her own professional growth to be remarkable.
“[Nancy] makes a real difference to those who work with her.”
CLRC’s Public Library Staff All-Star is Nancy Howe, Outreach/Public Relations Librarian at the Baldwinsille Public Library in Onondaga County. Our judges were impressed with her outreach and community partnership efforts, as well as her grant work in addition to her other job duties. They also found Nancy to be a leader both in her library and in her community.
“[Ashley] makes sure her students feel special and have a warm, safe welcoming environment in the library.”
CLRC’s School Library Staff All-Star is Ashley Sperber, Library Media Specialist at W. A. Wettel Elementary School Library, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District in Oneida County. Our judges were impressed with the innovation and energy Ashley brings to learners. She has a birthday bookshelf for her students, received a James Patterson grant, teamed up with a STEAM teacher to create lessons using Defined STEM with the students, has a student volunteer group and book club, and more.
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Congratulations to all of our winners!
And thank you to our judges! Judges included Debby Emerson (Director, Wadsworth Library, Geneseo, NYLA Past-President and past Executive Director of CLRC); Tina Broomfield (ESLN Projects Coordinator and Technology and Training Librarian, RRLC); and Mary-Carol Lindbloom (Executive Director, SCRLC).
CLRC’s Library Awards will be presented at our Annual Meeting on October 19. For more information and to register, visit https://clrc.org/events/clrcs-50th-anniversary-membership-meeting-and-conference/.
For more information about the Library Awards nomination process, visit https://clrc.org/awards/.
Nominations for next year’s awards will open in Spring 2018.