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
