Gale and Library Journal Name King County (WA) Library System 2011 Library of the Year

Exciting news from the Pacific Northwest! Congratulations to the Entire KCLS Team.

From an Gale/Cengage and Library Journal News Release:

Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading publisher of research and reference resources for libraries, schools and businesses, and Library Journal magazine today announced that King County Library System in Issaquah, Washington has been named the 2011 Library of the Year. Each year this prestigious recognition goes to 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. In addition to a cash award of $10,000, King County Library System (KCLS) will be featured as the cover story for the June 15, 2011, issue of Library Journal.

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The King County Library System was founded in 1942 to serve rural areas and small towns. Now, nearly 70 years later, KCLS is one of the busiest libraries in the U.S., serving 1.3 million county residents with its 46 branches and 2,131 square miles of service area. Patrons have visited the library 10.2 million times in the last year, and KCLS’s unique marketing efforts and innovative programs have helped get them in the door.

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Special mentions for Library of the Year were also given to Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY; San Diego County Library, San Diego, CA and Jefferson County Public Library, Lakewood, CO in recognition of their service philosophy and dedication to community.

Read the Complete News Release with Much More Info

Direct to the King County Library System Web Site
The KCLS Web Site Received More Than 30 Million Visits During 2010

Filed under: Awards, Gale, Libraries, Management and Leadership, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries, Publishing