Ten Librarians Celebrated for Exceptional Community Contributions
The prestigious I Love My Librarian Award has honoured ten remarkable librarians for their outstanding efforts in making a tangible difference within their communities. This annual accolade, which includes a $5,000 cash prize and a $750 stipend for the American Library Association's annual convention in Chicago from June 25-29, recognises librarians who go above and beyond in their service.
Diverse Achievements Recognised
The winners were selected from over 1,300 submissions by library patrons, who detailed how these librarians had positively impacted their lives or communities. The recipients showcase a wide range of contributions, from fighting against book bans to innovative space transformations and educational support.
Valerie Byrd Fort from the University of South Carolina was acknowledged for her staunch opposition to book bans, while Joanne Doucette at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was praised for mentoring graduate students in biomedical research. Mary Anne Russo at the Hubbard Public Library in Ohio received recognition for converting a dark basement into a vibrant family gathering space.
Leadership and Innovation Praised
ALA President Sam Helmick emphasised the significance of these contributions in a statement, noting, "We recognise the remarkable contributions these 10 librarians make for our communities, for learning, for our health and for the public good. These librarians are people who power possibility in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our places of higher learning. Their leadership, creativity, and innovation strengthen the communities they serve, and we are proud to honor them."
Additional Award Winners and Their Impact
Other distinguished winners include Tracy Fitzmaurice from Jackson County, North Carolina, hailed as a transformative leader for rural libraries, and Deb Sica of the Alameda County Library in Fremont, California, a champion of diversity and intellectual freedom. Zachary Stier from the Ericson Public Library in Boone, Iowa, was recognised for his years of work on literacy projects, and Christine Szeluga of Cranford High School in New Jersey secured grants for a podcast studio and history archive.
Further honorees are Mahasin Ameen from Indiana University, whose initiatives span health literacy to information literacy; Mia Gittlen, who revitalised the shuttered library at Milpitas High School in California; and Jenny Cox of Georgetown Middle School in South Carolina, who successfully boosted funding for thousands of new books.
A Legacy of Recognition
Established in 2008, the I Love My Librarian Award is presented by the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This year's winners exemplify the vital role librarians play in fostering education, community engagement, and intellectual freedom across diverse settings.
