I’ve gone to a lot of library conferences over the course of my career. My favorite part is one of the staples: the awards ceremony.
Very often, the awards call out the quiet work that has gone on in libraries for decades. The people drawn to library work are motivated by service. So we’ll see the volunteer who has run book sales for 35 years, contributing tens of thousands of dollars to library facilities. We’ll meet the staff member who introduced hundreds of children in her small town to the joys of storytimes. We’ll acknowledge the local business person who has sponsored important programs.
These people are worthy of celebration. They didn’t expect recognition. But they made a difference in their communities. Sometimes, we need to hear from others just how important our work really was and is.
Very often, the awards call out the quiet work that has gone on in libraries for decades. The people drawn to library work are motivated by service. So we’ll see the volunteer who has run book sales for 35 years, contributing tens of thousands of dollars to library facilities. We’ll meet the staff member who introduced hundreds of children in her small town to the joys of storytimes. We’ll acknowledge the local business person who has sponsored important programs.
These people are worthy of celebration. They didn’t expect recognition. But they made a difference in their communities. Sometimes, we need to hear from others just how important our work really was and is.
The Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) is one of the state “chapters” of the American Library Association. Mostly, its job is to provide professional training and advocate for the meaning and value of our services. At the recent annual conference, I’m thrilled to report that the Garfield County Public Library District won three CAL awards.
The first was the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award. We were nominated by a staff member of the state library who was very impressed by our Spanish Services Team.
The first was the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award. We were nominated by a staff member of the state library who was very impressed by our Spanish Services Team.
This committee, currently chaired by Parachute Branch Library Manager Amaranda Fregoso, is a response to the demographics of Garfield County. Some 30% of our population speaks Spanish; the student population is closer to 60%. Our focus on Spanish and bilingual programming, our efforts to recruit and acknowledge Hispanic staff members, and our focused attempts to grow our Spanish collections all demonstrate real leadership in the state. At our Hispanic Heritage Festival, we’ve had as many as 500 people show up. (And check out this year’s festival, beginning on Sept. 29 from 2-7 p.m. at our Rifle Branch Library.) We now have two branch managers and additional bilingual staff at all locations. We increased our Spanish collections by 1% — doubling our current offerings in one year. I should also say that past chair Ana Gaytan (New Castle Branch Library Manager) and Alex Garcia Bernal (Education & Events Manager) presented at the conference with Amaranda about their good work. And they wowed the crowd. We have only begun our work. But it seems we’re ahead of the pack.
As part of this work, we are also adding some new services. Effective immediately, we’re adding live English-to-Spanish translation at our regular board meetings. We’re also experimenting with providing live translation via Zoom. We recognize that it may take some time for people to hear about and get to it. So spread the word.
The second award was Library Partnership of the Year. Our community-wide interviews, conducted in November and December of 2024, identified “mental health” as one of the six key issues in the county. America’s public libraries often serve as a non-threatening place for folks who are struggling. The award, submitted by Rifle Branch Library Manager Amy Tonozzi, acknowledged our teaming up with Discovery Café, “a uniquely holistic, full service program that supports the homeless, addicted, and disenfranchised individuals in Garfield County by offering everything they need, in one place, to move themselves from crisis to dignity and independence.” We provide meeting space at our Rifle Branch Library. In turn, they provide the support to help our residents help themselves. Executive Director Gabe Cohen was there to accept the award.
The third award was for the 2024 Outstanding Library Trustee. The CAL Awards Committee — which sorted through many nominations for many categories — selected our Library Board Chairwoman, Adrian Rippy-Sheehy. In today’s often contentious political climate, many longstanding cultural and educational institutions are under attack, particularly schools and libraries. We need civic courage to resist the influence of partisan politics. Adrian has demonstrated that courage repeatedly, holding to our institutional purpose and policies, maintaining decorum and decency.
Not all of our heroes wear capes. But it’s not hard to find them. Just check out the library.
As part of this work, we are also adding some new services. Effective immediately, we’re adding live English-to-Spanish translation at our regular board meetings. We’re also experimenting with providing live translation via Zoom. We recognize that it may take some time for people to hear about and get to it. So spread the word.
The second award was Library Partnership of the Year. Our community-wide interviews, conducted in November and December of 2024, identified “mental health” as one of the six key issues in the county. America’s public libraries often serve as a non-threatening place for folks who are struggling. The award, submitted by Rifle Branch Library Manager Amy Tonozzi, acknowledged our teaming up with Discovery Café, “a uniquely holistic, full service program that supports the homeless, addicted, and disenfranchised individuals in Garfield County by offering everything they need, in one place, to move themselves from crisis to dignity and independence.” We provide meeting space at our Rifle Branch Library. In turn, they provide the support to help our residents help themselves. Executive Director Gabe Cohen was there to accept the award.
The third award was for the 2024 Outstanding Library Trustee. The CAL Awards Committee — which sorted through many nominations for many categories — selected our Library Board Chairwoman, Adrian Rippy-Sheehy. In today’s often contentious political climate, many longstanding cultural and educational institutions are under attack, particularly schools and libraries. We need civic courage to resist the influence of partisan politics. Adrian has demonstrated that courage repeatedly, holding to our institutional purpose and policies, maintaining decorum and decency.
Not all of our heroes wear capes. But it’s not hard to find them. Just check out the library.
[This article appeared in the September 29, 2024 edition of the Post Independent.]
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