The New York Times Honors Hispanic Outreach Librarians

by Aída Bardales -- Críticas, 1/15/2007

The New York Times last month announced the winners of the 2006 New York Times Librarian Awards. Now in its sixth year, the program pays tribute to librarians from around the country who have provided extraordinary public service. According to the nominations, among the 25 winners were four librarians highly dedicated to conducting outreach to the Hispanic community. The winners are Stephanie Neely, managing librarian, Daniel E. Ruiz Branch, Austin PL, TX; Robin Osborne, outreach services consultant, Westchester Lib. System, Tarrytown, NY; Cynthia K. Richey, director, Mt. Lebanon PL, Pittsburgh; and Janine Abby Rose, branch manager, Silt Branch, Garfield County PL System, CO.

The Times held a ceremony and reception in honor of the winners last month. During the event, each winner received $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. A separate plaque—with the winner’s name and title—was sent to the library where each winner works.

The New York Times received more than 1,300 nominations from this year; nominations for the public librarian awards came from the general public. Two selection committees—one for academic librarians, another for public librarians and which included Francine Fialkoff, Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal—composed of leading library professionals from around the country chose the winners. Both committees included a representative from The Times.