Meet the 10 Winners of the 2018 I Love My Librarian Award, Livestream of Award Ceremony Today at 4 p.m. Central

Congrats to all of the winners! Well done!

From ALA:

A member of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe from Montana, a rural community college librarian from North Carolina, and a Pennsylvania advocate for immigrants and refugees are among the ten winners of the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award, the American Library Association announced today. Recipients were chosen from more than 1,000 nominations from library users nationwide who submitted compelling stories that showcased how their local librarians have profoundly improved lives within their community.

Among this year’s I Love My Librarian Award recipients are an academic librarian who provides students with free access to textbooks, food and toiletries; public librarians who assist new Americans while battling bigotry and cultural invisibility; and a school librarian who drives students who can’t afford transportation to school.

“Our nation’s librarians work tirelessly and selflessly to better lives in their communities,” said American Library Association President Loida Garcia-Febo. “I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to this year’s I Love My Librarian Award recipients. I stand in awe of their contributions to transforming lives through courage, empathy and compassion. Thank you for your noble work and civic mindedness.”

2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the I Love My Librarian Award, which honors librarians who go above and beyond traditional library service. This coveted award was established in 2008 and recognizes outstanding public service that has transformed lives through education and lifelong learning. The ALA has received thousands of nominations over the decade, but only 110 librarians have received this distinguished honor.

The Winners

Award recipients include four academic librarians, three public librarians and three school librarians. This year’s winners are:

Ginny Blackson
James E. Brooks Library
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

Joy Bridwell
Stone Child College Library
Box Elder, Montana

Tamara Cox
Wren High School
Piedmont, South Carolina

Nancy Daniel
Western Piedmont Community College Library
Morganton, North Carolina

Jennifer Berg Gaither
Baltimore City College
Baltimore, Maryland

Terri Gallagher
Community College of Beaver County Library
Monaca, Pennsylvania

Paula Kelly
Whitehall Public Library
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella
Katonah Village Library
Town of Bedford, New York

Linda Robinson
Mansfield Middle School
Mansfield, Connecticut

Lindsey Tomsu
Algonquin Area Public Library District
Algonquin, Illinois

Award Ceremony Livestream

For the first time ever, the ALA will livestream the I Love My Librarian Award ceremony on Tuesday, December 4, at 4 p.m. Central time from Carnegie Corporation of New York’s headquarters in Manhattan. Join us on the ALA Facebook channel to celebrate the exceptional public service accomplishments of 10 librarians who have made a difference in their communities. During the ceremony, you will hear directly from the award winners and learn more about their inspiring stories.

Learn More

Bios/Photos of Each Winner

ALA News Release

Members of the 2018 I Love My Librarian Award Selection Committee

About the Award