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Action for Libraries

Member News

Salt Lake City Library Named Library of the Year
The City Library, Salt Lake City Public Library System was honored as Thomson Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year for 2006. The library was recognized for its programs and community involvement. Cited were SLCPL's Dewey Lecture series, with each speaker representing a subject class in the Dewey Decimal System, as well as a Community Exploration Card and Community Cultural and Arts Performance Program. Its partnership with KCPW public radio, housed in the library, also was noted. SLCPL's new building, opened in 2003 in Library Square, is now established as "the community gathering place,"LJ noted.

The library is featured in the June 15 issue of Library Journal. A $10,000 prize comes with the Library of the Year honor, along with recognition at an awards ceremony in June at the American Library Association annual conference.

BCR Libraries Recognized by LAMA for PR and Marketing
The Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) named a number of BCR member libraries among its 2006 Best of Show in public relations and marketing. Best of Show honors in their categories were bestowed on the Wyoming State Library for Bibliographies & Booklists; Weber County (Utah) Library for Children's Reading Club and Special Programs & Events; Washington State University Libraries for Printed Materials Promoting Web Sites; Campbell County (Wyoming) Public Library for Services Available/Orientation Materials; Utah Valley State College also for Services Available/Orientation Materials; and Wartburg College's Vogel Library (Iowa) for Web Page/Home Page.

Honorable mentions went to Lawrence (Kansas) High School Library; Wyoming State Library; O'Keefe Library, St. Ambrose University (Iowa); Tacoma (Washington) Public Library; and Davenport (Iowa) Public Library.

Regional Library Head Named
The Board of Trustees has appointed Kim Kietzman as administrator of the Southeastern Library Services Area in Iowa. Kim, currently director at the LeClaire Community Library, took on her new role in June, working with current director Emily Navarre until June 30 when Navarre retired. Navarre was an at-large member of the BCR Board of Trustees for the last four years.

$10 Million to Benefit Wyoming Library Collections
The Wyoming State Legislature has come to the aid of the state's libraries this year to the tune of $10 million. The one-time appropriation is to be used to boost the collections at Wyoming's 23 county library systems, seven community colleges and the University of Wyoming Libraries.

MLA Honors for 2006
Library of the Year honors from the Montana Library Association for 2006 go to the Partners Libraries Missoula Public Library, Flathead County Library, Hearst Free Library, Bitterroot Public Library, Drummond School/Community Library and Polson City Library. The Partners Libraries have developed a cooperative system for patrons from any of their libraries to borrow materials from any other Partner library at no charge.

Gloria Curdy, K-12 library media program coordinator for the Missoula Public Schools, was named MLA Librarian of the Year. She was honored for setting of public school library standards, successful advocacy for library technology and resources, mentoring new school librarians and teaching library-related courses at the University of Montana.

Seattle Branch Acclaimed for Green Design
The Ballard Branch of the Seattle Public Library was recognized by the American Institute of Architects as one of 10 examples of sustainable architecture and green design in the nation Among the branch's solutions that protect and enhance the environment are a "green roof" planted with more than 18,000 low-water-use plants, rooftop and window solar panels, extensive natural day lighting and notch-and-tab furniture that slides together to reduce waste. A periscope inside the building gives patrons a view of the roof and the Olympic Mountains.

Libraries Celebrate 100th Birthdays
Two libraries in the BCR region are taking time to honor their centennial years. The citizens of Chanute, Kansas, earlier this spring gathered for speeches, music, poems and party in honor of their library. Originally a Carnegie Library, in 1992 the town's historic Santa Fe Depot was renovated to house the Chanute Public Library.

Also in Kansas, the Wakeeney Public Library Board and staff invited the public to its 100th year celebration. First located in a room of the Trego County Court House, the library since 1996 has made its home in a new ADA compliant facility.