Library Journal Magazine, the oldest library periodical in the U.S., and Gale Publishing have named the King County Library System the Library of the Year.
The nationwide honor has folks in the KCLS Valley branches, the easternmost in the system, every bit as thrilled as their coworkers to the west.
“It’s a real honor to work for this system,” said Irene Wickstrom, managing librarian for the Fall City, North Bend and Snoqualmie branches. “As a library professional you want to work for an excellent system, and that’s what KCLS represents.”
Library Journal and Gale honored the library system as the “public library in the United States that most profoundly demonstrates service to community, creativity, leadership and innovation in developing specific community programs, particularly programs that can be emulated by others.”
Wickstrom said the library system strives to provide an excellent product. The system’s embrace of innovation has pushed its level of service to great heights, she added.
“The Internet has opened up a whole different way,” she said. “Our patrons can access our databases from home or offices. They can still get library materials even though they are busy or have transportation issues or the weather is bad.”
Francine Fialkoff, Library Journal editor in chief, said KCLS has led the way for years in innovative service to the community.
“Innovation,” Wickstrom said. “That’s KCLS through and through. We are on the cutting edge. Other libraries look to us.”
Despite their somewhat isolated geographic location, the Valley’s branches feel very much a part of this achievement, she said, noting that the patrons of the library deserve much of the credit.
Julie Brand, community relations and marketing director for the library system said the system received the award because of its patrons and communities.
“It’s really a reflection of their support and their use of us,” Brand said. “Going forward, we need to continue to find the ways to be relevant to them in their lives, in how we deliver services, and the sorts of resources and information that we provide to them.”
At the Snoqualmie library, some of those patrons praised the system and their neighborhood branch.
“Oh, I believe it,” said Lindsey King, of Snoqualmie, when told of the award. “It’s great. We come here for story time, and getting the children books to read.”
Fellow patron Caroline Christian said she liked how available books were within the system.
“I like knowing that even if it takes a few weeks’ wait, you can get what you need,” she said.
The honor includes a $10,000 prize. Officials plan to donate the money to the King County Library Journal Foundation. The day the award was announced, Gov. Chris Gregoire declared June 7 to be King County Library System Day.
Library officials plan to accept the awards at the American Library Association’s annual conference in New Orleans from June 23-28.
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or [email protected]. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com. Issaquah Press reporter Warren Kagarise contributed to this story.
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