Local libraries and staff members named 2017 CLRC Library award winners
The Central NY Library Resources Council is happy to announce the winners of its 2017 CLRC Library Awards, which are in their second year.
These awards are open to libraries, archives, museums and their staff in Onondaga, Oneida, Herkimer and Madison County. This year’s winners are as follows:Public Library of the
Public Library of the Year: DeRuyter Free Library
“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!
School Library of the Year: C.W. Baker High School Library
“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!
Academic Library Staff All-Star: Jane Verostek, Moon Library, SUNY ESF
“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.
Public Library Staff All-Star: Nancy Howe, Baldwinsville Public Library
“She 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.
School Library Staff All-Star: Ashley Sperber, W. A. Wettel Elementary School Library
“She 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 STEM teacher to create lessons using defined STEM with the students, has a student volunteer group and book club, and more.
Winners will be presented with their awards — banners for Library of the Year and gift cards and plaques for the Library Staff All-Stars — and honored at CLRC’s annual meeting on Thursday, October 19. For more information, visit clrc.org/events/clrcs-50th-anniversary-membership-meeting-and-conference/.
For more information about the Library Awards nomination process, visit clrc.org/awards/.
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).
About CLRC: The CLRC is one of nine New York state library councils dedicated to helping libraries, museums and archives with resource sharing, professional development, and much more. Visit clrc.org.