Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award
CLA: 2017
Ned
Branch, Blanchard Community Library
Four
years ago, when the Blanchard Community Library in Santa
Paula, California, found itself in the midst of legal, financial, and
administrative difficulties, the Board of Trustees hired Ned Branch to turn
around the library.
Previously,
he worked in private post-secondary education for 27 years, having been
affiliated with institutions in Northern and Southern California and
Oregon. During that time, he also
frequently served as a member of accreditation review teams and worked
extensively with state education agencies. His experience enabled him to put
the library on solid financial foundation and to build a team of dedicated
people to provide for the library’s future success. During the most recent
school year, he initiated a partnership among the local school district, First
Five of California, and the library to provide daytime ESL classes for parents
and preschool instruction for children while the parents were in class. The
district, First Five, and the library recently agreed to continue the program
in the 2017-18 school year.
Last
year the Santa Paula Latino Town Hall honored the library with its annual
Community Service award, and this year the local Chamber of Commerce designated
the library as the 2016 Non-Profit of the Year. Throughout his career, Ned has
endeavored to help individuals change their lives for the better through
education. His commitment to adult
literacy stems from his belief that literacy changes not only the life of the learner
but also the learner’s children and, in turn, their children.
CLA's
Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award
recognizes a librarian who has demonstrated passion, excellence and dedication
in support of adult literacy. One award is given each
year and the recipient is honored at the CLA annual conference.
Past award recipients
Heather
Pizzuto, Carlsbad City Library (2016)
Jayanti
Addleman, Monterey County Free Libraries (2015)
Natasha
Casteel, Roseville Public Library (2014)
Patricia
Noa, OC Public Libraries (2013)
Christy
Aguirre, Sacramento Public Library (2012)
Patricia
Lorenzo, Santa Clara County Library (2011)
Anne
Cain, Contra Costa County Library (2010)
Derek
Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library (2009)
Jean
Hofacket, Alameda County Library (2008)
Carol
Starr, Marin County Free Library (2007)
John
M. Adams, Orange County Public Library (2006)
Sofia
Bellos, Oxnard Public Library (2005)
Leslie
McGinnis, Oakland Public Library (2004)
Chuck
Aston, Redwood City Public Library (2003)
Sponsored
by the Library of
Congress Literacy Awards, BALit, SCLLN,
and NCLC
