Read about what librarians in the BCR region are doing — their accomplishments, activities and contributions to the library and cultural heritage communities.
Special Honors and Achievements
Two BCR member libraries were selected to receive the 2008 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, awarded by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in coordination with the White House. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody (WY) and Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City (MO), joined eight others at a White House ceremony on October 7.
News From BCR Member States
Alaska
Linda Thibodeau has been appointed the state librarian and director of the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums of the State of Alaska. Thibodeau currently sits on the BCR Board of Trustees as the Alaska State Library representative. She replaces Kathryn H. Shelton, who retired October 31, after a long and distinguished career in the library community.
Colorado
Nancy White, ET-IL information literacy specialist, Academy School District 20, Colorado Springs, and BCR Board of Trustees member, had an article published in the August-September 2008 EdTech Magazine on the topic of teacher-librarians in schools.
Su Eckhardt, president of the Colorado Association of School Libraries (CASL), was selected AASL 2008 ABC-CLIO Leadership grant recipient.
Sharon Quay, Rampart Library District is this year's recipient of the Charlie Robinson award, which recognizes a librarian who has been an innovator and taken risks that have resulted in better service to the community.
Rangeview Library District held groundbreaking ceremonies on September 5 for two new library facilities, the downtown Brighton Cultural Center and the Bennett Branch Library.
The University of Denver Law Library received a grant of nearly $1 million from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, part of $20.3 million initiative of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The grant will pay for the recruiting and educating of 10 new librarians to assist rural lawyers.
Two BCR member libraries, the Bistro Book Club, Center for Adolescent Reading, Grand Junction and Interesting Reader Society (IRS), Fort Collins Regional Library District, were chosen to participate in the Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) YA Galley and Teens' Top Ten Project. Publishers of young adult books provide copies of their recent titles to teen book discussion groups in libraries, and in exchange, teen readers evaluate books for publishers.
Idaho
The Idaho 2008 Librarian of the Year is Karen Tate Pettinger, from Portneuf District Library, Chubbuck.
Iowa
Mary Wegner, Iowa State Librarian and BCR Board of Trustees representative, was named the Iowa Association of Libraries (ILA) Member of the Year at the ILA annual conference in early October. Wegner was honored for her extraordinary leadership and vision in supporting the Iowa library community.
The Sioux Center Public Library reopened with a dedication ceremony in August, five years after a fire destroyed the facility.
The Meservey Public Library celebrated its 40th birthday on September 8 with an ice cream social.
Buena Vista County libraries were the beneficiaries of part of a $4.8 million bequest from Virginia Riley Crocker. She left $10,000 each to seven public libraries in the county, including Storm Lake, Linn Grove, Newell, Marathon, Albert City, Rembrandt and Alta.
Kansas
The Andover Public Library hosted an open house in mid-October to celebrate the opening of its new facility. With 15,000 square feet (nearly six times its previous area), the new library has expanded its book selection, added both a children's and teen's area, an art gallery, genealogy center and computer room.
The Kansas City Public Library in May unveiled a new children's library on the second floor of the Central Library. The new area features nearly 4,000 square feet of brightly colored, age-appropriate spots specifically designed for children from infants to teenagers.
The Salina Public Library celebrated its 150th birthday in late September with a parade, part of the year-long series of historic events and activities marking its sesquicentennial.
The Dorothy Bramlage Public Library, Junction City, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2008.
Montana
In Montana, the Plains Public Library District and Chouteau County Library both celebrated 90 years of serving the library community.
The Lewis & Clark Library, Helena, is celebrating 140 years of continual service. The library hosted an open house on October 25, inviting the citizens of the community to share a piece of birthday cake.
Nevada
Awards were given out at the Nevada Library Association Annual Conference in August. Librarian of the Year went to Ellen Fockler, Washoe County School District; Florica Hagendorn, Henderson District Public Libraries, received the Dorothy McAlinden award for outstanding service to, or on behalf of, the association by a member who is not a professional library employee; and a Special Citation award went to Joan Vaughan, Henderson District Public Libraries. She was commended for all the years she has served as the Nevada Library Association's webmaster.
Lucy Bouldin, director of the Storey County Library served as grand marshall for the Virginal City Labor Day parade, recognizing library workers.
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) named Carla Land, Children's Services Department head, Summerlin Library of the Las Vegas-Clark County Public Library, a 2009 Emerging Leader.
Oregon
Eugene Public Library has selected Maureen Cole as its Public Services Manager. Cole began her career as the Technical Services Manager and went on to a position as AIC Public Services Manager. She is a past president of the Oregon Library Association.
Utah
Jennifer Duncan, electronic resources librarian and Wendy Holliday, coordinator of library instruction, Utah State University, coauthored, "The Role of Information Architecture in Designing a Third Generation Library Web Site," published in the July 2008 issue of College & Research Libraries.
Washington
The Seattle Public Library has completed a 10-year plan to replace the central library, add four new branch libraries, renovate 14 libraries and replace nine others. The $196.4 million project, known as "Libraries for All," culminated in a celebration in mid-September.
The Sequim Library (North Olympic Library System) received a $190,000 bequest from Helen Adams, a longtime patron. The funds will be used to complete a full facelift of the 26 year-old library.
The Bleyhl Community Library, Grandview, received 63 new children's books from the Libri Foundation, with matching funds from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation via the Washington State Library.
Wyoming
Teton County (WY) voters recently approved a project to fund $1.5 million in library addition design costs. Improvements will be made to the main building, and will allow the library to expand its services and spaces for reading, research, technology, education and community activities.
Opening ceremonies for the new Park County Library were held in early October. The new facility, located in the lower level of the Park County Complex (formerly known as the Marathon Building) is about 27,000 square feet, nearly doubling the space in the old library, with sections now set aside for teenagers and large groups.
Historian, scholar and former reference librarian for the University Libraries, Emmett D. Chisum pledged a $1 million gift to establish an endowment in support of the special collections reading room in the new addition to the William Robertson Coe Library, University of Wyoming.
BCR is pleased to publish information concerning staff appointments and library news as well as awards, grants and honors bestowed upon our members. Please send your announcements to Brandie Baumann, communications coordinator, bbaumann@bcr.org.
