CLA 2018 Outstanding Librarians in Support of Literacy Award :: Stacey Costello Colusa Co :: John Szabo LAPL

2018 Outstanding Librarians in Support of Literacy Award

CLA Net: 6.29.2018

CLA's Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award recognizes a librarian who has demonstrated passion, excellence and dedication in support of adult literacy.

Two awards will be given out in 2018.  The Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award recipients will each receive $1,000 and will be honored at the CLA annual conference.

The award is sponsored by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards and the California Center for the Book.

2018 Award Recipients

Stacey Costello, Colusa County Free Library

Stacey Zwald Costello returned home to Colusa County after more than fifteen years in the Bay Area, where she worked as a Curatorial Assistant in the history department of the Oakland Museum of California, and later as Assistant Editor at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

Costello started her official tenure on the centennial anniversary of the Colusa County Free Library, and has since worked to broaden services and programming, update collections and take the library system into its second hundred years with the ability to meet the evolving needs of the community. Working with library staff, patrons, and community organizations, the library has been able to expand service hours, build collections more reflective of our community, revitalize branch locations and improve the overall health of the library.

Unfortunately, Colusa County currently has an illiteracy rate of 34%.  In just under 3 years of Costello taking the helm, she has supported the Colusa County Free Library Literacy Program in the creation of a digital literacy program, U.S. citizenship seminars, an adult learner book and conversation clubs, and the recruitment and retention of adult tutors and learners alike. In addition, Costello was awarded a grant from the California State Library for access to the Career Online High School program. In support of developing and fostering early literacy skills and a love of reading, Costello has introduced weekly family story time to all seven branch locations, as well as provided programming in Spanish and for children with special needs, supported the expansion of the Raising a Reader program and hosted Growing Start Playgroups in our most rural outposts.

Her commitment to literacy services is a reflection of her commitment to the community at large, and her belief that literacy is an integral aspect to being a productive and happy person.

John Szabo, Los Angeles Public Library

John F. Szabo is the City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, which serves over four million people—the largest population of any public library in the United States.  He oversees the Central Library, 72 branches and the library’s $182 million budget.

Under his leadership, the Library’s major initiatives include those related to immigrant integration and citizenship, improving financial literacy and providing health resources and programs.  He has expanded the library’s reach into the city’s diverse communities through partnerships with several community-based organizations.

He has more than 25 years of leadership experience in public libraries, previously serving as the director of four libraries including the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of OCLC and on the Board of Directors for California Humanities and the University of Southern California Center for Library Leadership and Management.  He has previously served on the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council and as president of the Florida Library Association.

Past Winners:

2017: Ned Branch, Blanchard Community Library

2016: Heather Pizzuto, Carlsbad City Library

2015: Jayanti Addleman, Monterey County Free Libraries

2014: Natasha Casteel, City Librarian, Roseville Public Library

2013: Patricia Noa, Regional Services Manager, Orange County Public Library

2012: Christy Aguirre, Sacramento Public Library

2011: Patricia Lorenzo, Santa Clara County Library District

2010: Anne Cain, Contra Costa County Library

2009: Derek Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library

2008: Jean Hofacket, Alameda County Library

2007: Carol Starr, Marin County Free Library

2006: John M. Adams, Orange County Public Library

2005: Sofia Bellos, Oxnard Public Library

2004: Leslie McGinnis Rodd, Oakland Public Library

2003: Chuck Aston, Redwood City Public Library