KPL nominated for WLA Library of the Year

Every year, the Wisconsin Library Association chooses one library in the state to honor with the "Library of the Year" title. The award is based on community partnerships, creative programming, and most of all, positive community impact. I can think of no library that deserves this honor more than KPL. Over the past 3 years I have witnessed extraordinary courage in leadership at all levels of this organization, from the public service staff who joined hands as SHARE trainers to the Maintenance staff who redesigned service desks, from our Youth staff who taught themselves computer coding to give kids a glimpse into the future, to Circulation staff who visited assisted living common areas with books and programs so our elderly patrons would stay warm and safe from icy parking lots. Bookmobile staff ventured into neighborhoods, worried about crime, and found joy in the faces of children as they discovered the library for the first time. They scrambled to load up their van with library materials when the bookmobile broke down, knowing the patrons waiting for them needed that much-awaited visit. ADS staff brought their passion for comics, for social justice, and for the joy of reading to a robust public programs schedule, and the gorgeous design and social media marketing behind those ventures drove attendance to double digit increases. Collection Services staff devised efficiencies to make sure patrons found great books and new items found their way to the shelves twice as fast as before. Staff bravely changed their work flow and procedures, knowing the end result improved service. Circulation staff did the same as they adapted to RFID, automated returns and self checks, knowing these services delighted the public and allowed us to shift our time away from the back room and out front with our patrons.
Four of our Public Service departments are now led by young people who worked their way up through the ranks, seeking the training and mentorship along the way to follow their passion for library service. Three of our staff members are now enrolled in MLIS programs. Many other staff members have changed departments and taken on new roles or specialties that have had a huge impact on service, especially in technology training, youth services, public programs, and outreach services. More and more of you are contributing to "Off the Shelves" in the Kenosha News and write terrific articles in our weekly electronic newsletter. For most of you, it's not just a job anymore, it's a passion that blooms with your special touch.
As we wade through 85 pages of comments from our recent public survey, it is obvious that your community loves the people and the service at the Kenosha Public Library! You all deserve the Library of the Year Award. Yesterday evening, you were nominated. I've got my fingers crossed that WLA understand the positive influence you are in your community. But even if they don't, you are the Library of the Year here at home.