8/22/07 OLC Recognizes the 2007 Awards and Honors Recipients

The Ohio Library Council will host the 2007 Awards and Honors Luncheon on October 12, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus during the 2007 Convention and Expo. The ceremony will recognize the extraordinary people and organizations who make Ohio 's libraries the best in the nation. Registration for the 2007 Convention and Expo is now open online. Be sure to register for the Awards and Honors Luncheon on October 12 to show your support for the 2007 award recipients. The recipients of the 2007 Awards and Honors are:

Hall of Fame Librarian Award Martha Gardin, Director (Retired), Greene County Public Library Martha Gardin has been selected as the recipient of the Hall of Fame Librarian Award for her many contributions to the library community and her ability to “instill idealism and vision in others.”

Those that worked or volunteered with her have described her as an inspirational leader, an excellent ambassador for libraries, a wonderful mentor, and “an outstanding steward and servant to the public.” She has been involved with OLC, ALA, OPLIN, and OHIONET throughout her varied career that has spanned over four decades. Martha is widely known for her ability to “work a room” and to uniquely connect people together to get a project going. She recently retired from the Greene County Public Library in Xenia as Director where she led the library through a variety of technological changes, the construction and renovation of several buildings, difficult intellectual freedom challenges, funding cuts, and a successful levy campaign.

Librarian of the Year Award Nancy J. Kelley, Director, Way Public Library (Perrysburg) “Nancy Kelley in all her work exemplifies the highest standards of public library service.”

She is known throughout the library community for her “special gifts and talents as a thoughtful and creative leader in the field.” She has made an undeniable impression on those she meets as evidenced by the number of recommendations she received from colleagues, staff, trustees, and community leaders for this award. She has been chosen as Librarian of the Year for her tireless efforts to keep Way Public Library at the cutting edge of new library services, her cooperation with other libraries in meeting challenges faced by State budget cuts, her active role in Northwest Ohio legislative efforts, her experienced guidance to new directors and young librarians entering the field as well as her charm, charisma, and ability to lead.

Supportive Staff Member Award Martha E. Hamilton, Office Manager, Southwest Public Libraries (Grove City) More than one staff member at Southwest Public Libraries described Martha Hamilton as the “glue that holds our library together.”

She has been chosen as Supportive Staff Member of the Year because “she is passionate for the library and her contagious passion carries over in her communication with staff, board members, community leaders and patrons.” She managed the library's development and volunteer programs serving 26 years in a variety of capacities from temporary page to desk clerk to office manager. She helped the library raise over $300,000 to supplement state funding for the purchase of library materials and programming supplies. She has spent hours advocating for libraries in her community and throughout the State. She has supported OLC and ALA and encouraged others to do the same. She was quick to tackle new technologies to facilitate the Southwest Public Libraries' transition to automated circulation. When there's a question at the library, the answer is always “Ask Martha.”

John Philip Outreach Award Carol Ann Carmack, Stark County District Library Carol Ann Carmack has been selected as the recipient for the John Philip Outreach Award for her imaginative way of assisting people who otherwise would not have benefited from library programs.

She has worked for the Stark County District Library for 20 years and is currently their Programming Coordinator. She established and manages the library's Little Theater Troupe, a diverse group of young people who learn teamwork and foster personal skills through performance. Carol has developed a series of workshops for adults to pass on her programming expertise. She has partnered with many arts and cultural organizations within Stark County including the Cultural Center, Canton Symphony, the Art Institute, Canton Youth Ballet and Player's Guild. Her programming expertise has brought the library to many unexpected locales and reached many outside the library's traditional clientele and helped make the Stark County District Library a central player in a vibrant cultural community.

Trustee Award of Achievement Patricia T. Holter, Trustee, Meigs County District Public Library

Patricia T. Holter has been selected to receive the Trustee Award of Achievement for her 36 years of distinguished service as a trustee for the Meigs County District Public Library and her visionary leadership in the Ohio library community. In her role as library trustee she has helped guide the library through major renovations, the expansion of homebound and bookmobile services, and the creation of the combined school/public library in the Eastern Elementary School. Patrons of the library recognize her for her drive to bring learning and cultural enrichment to Meigs County. In addition to her local service to the library, she served on the State Library Trustee Board, participated in the creation of OVAL, served on the board of OLTA, and served on the committee that recommended the Library and Local Government Support Fund (LLGSF).

Library Innovation Award Training Team of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library

Front Row: Susan Roberts (Co-Chair), Diane Daniels (Co-Chair), Mary Johnson, Rob Hemmick, Anne Rhodes, Terry Carter, MaryAnne DiAlesandro, Pam Ujvari Back Row: Waunita Wharton, Ann Keener, Patricia Brewster, Deborah Dubois, Ruth Wolf, Marian Benjamin, Shannin Bailey Not Pictured: Candace Brenner, Cheryl Carpenter, Vikki Eckert, Mary Frankenfield, Dona Garber, Danica Perry, Jean Ruark, Rhonda Tetlow

The Training Team of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library has been selected to receive the Library Innovation Award for planning and implementing a creative training program that contributes to the skills, teambuilding, and enthusiasm of employees throughout the system, which in turn enhances the employee's service to their customers. The Training Team is an outstanding example of a flexible and economic way to expand training opportunities and can readily be adapted to all types and sizes of libraries.

	OFL Recognition Award Friends of the Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia Location
Front Row (seated): Myrna Hugh, Merry Pretorius, Mary of Oakknoll, Shirley Wagner Back Row (standing): Linda Holdsworth, Susan Larkin, Patricia Karnosh, Bette Hill, Christine Hendrix, Dianne Heller, Jeanne Waltz Not Pictured: Doris Geduldig, Suzanne Stauffer

The Friends of the Tuscarawas County Public Library in New Philadelphia has developed imaginative and effective fund raising programs that go beyond traditional book sales. This Friends group has partnered with the Tuscarawas Symphony to host a series of unique musical programs, collaborated with local organizations and four libraries to present a historical play, provided books for two rest stops on I-77, hosted Antique Alley (for people to bring items for appraisal), helped to present Mainstreet at Midnight (a community New Year's Eve Celebration), sponsored author visits, and donated books to the Attention Center, Homeless Shelter and Harbor House (a shelter for abused women and their families). Additionally, they have supported the annual El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros event, planned by the Children's Department and the Literacy Department to honor the Hispanic community and all families in the area. This Friends group has truly increased community awareness of the library and its mission.

Citizen of the Year Award Sibongile (Bongi) Sithe, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Teen Advisory Board

“Sibongile [Sithe] is a true advocate for libraries – particularly with one of the hardest to reach groups of patrons: other teens!” Bongi has been a member of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Main Library's Teen Advisory Board since 2002 and is the 2007 President. In addition to volunteering for numerous local library events, she has served on a teen discussion panel for the local public television station and teen discussion panels at OLC annual conferences. Additionally, teen author Patrick Jones listed her in the acknowledgements of his forthcoming book because Bongi agreed to read an advance copy and offered considerable feedback. Bongi has done a tremendous job of supporting the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and has also made significant contributions to libraries beyond the local level – a particularly impressive accomplishment considering that Bongi's many contributions have come during her teen years.

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