Three public libraries have been recognized for making a difference in their community with the LibraryAware Community Award. Please see details below and let me know if you have any questions.

Lisa

Library Journal and NoveList Announce
The LibraryAware Community Award Winners
~ Public Libraries in Canton MI, Skokie IL and Hartford CT are Recognized for Making a Difference in Their Communities and the Cities and Towns That Support Them ~

BIRMINGHAM, Ala./IPSWICH, Mass. — March 27, 2013 — Canton Public Library in Michigan was today announced the winner for the first-ever LibraryAware Community Award with Skokie Public Library in Illinois taking second place and Hartford Public Library in Connecticut taking third place. The LibraryAware Community Award recognizes cities and towns and their libraries, or library systems, that have demonstrated their ability to make the community aware of what the library can do for them—and have delivered on that promise. The award is given by Library Journal and underwritten by LibraryAware™, a product of the NoveList division of EBSCO.

The LibraryAware Community Award highlights the value that communities throughout the United States and Canada derive from their libraries and focuses on the outcomes of work by libraries—through the development of effective programs, services, partnerships, and communications—that result in better communities and an increased understanding of how libraries contribute to a community’s well-being. Criteria for the award included any and all components that create a LibraryAware community: strategic planning, marketing, outreach, partnerships, and programs, product, or service development.

LibraryAware Product Lead Nancy Dowd says each one of the libraries should be very proud of this recognition. “Each of these libraries has gone above and beyond to connect with their communities. They have bridged the gap between library and community and have ignited a successful and long-lasting relationship between the two.”

Canton Public Library Director Eva Davis says it is a tremendous honor to receive this award. “We are elated to receive the inaugural LibraryAware award. Our staff works hard to know our community and anticipate their changing needs and the library’s board of trustees guides us with a patron-based vision and the financial stewardship necessary to help us offer viable, relevant programs and services. Receiving the LibraryAware award is validation of our efforts to connect our community and we are honored to be chosen.”

“Ultimately, what stood out to the LJ editors and to our panel of judges is the scope of Canton’s outreach efforts, programming, and partnership initiatives. Combined, these three things satisfy patrons and create powerful and meaningful community relations,” says Michael Kelley, editor in chief of Library Journal.

Submissions were judged by the following library and community experts:
• Ron Carlee, COO, ICMA (International City/County Management Association)
• Deborah Jacobs, Director, Global Libraries Initiative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Jorge Martinez, Director, Information Systems/Project Lead, Knight Library Initiative on Universal Wireless Access, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

City or town officials as well as the library director in Canton, Skokie and Hartford will soon be presented the LibraryAware Community Award. Each city or town will receive a plaque identifying it as a “LibraryAware” community. Canton Public Library will receive $10,000, with Skokie Public Library receiving $7500, and Hartford Public Library receiving $5,000.

The winners are also featured in an article in Library Journal. The LibraryAware Community Award will be given annually to a community of any size and its library during National Library Week.

About Library Aware
LibraryAware is available as a subscription service to libraries. Uses for the LibraryAware program include a full range of marketing and communication channels including email blasts, e-newsletters, flyers, bookmarks, brochures, website inserts, letters, invitations, and social media. Learn more about LibraryAware at: www.libraryaware.com.

About EBSCO
EBSCO is the producer of EBSCOhost®, the world's premier for-fee online research service, including full-text databases, subject indexes, point-of-care medical reference, historical digital archives, and e-books. The company provides more than 375 databases and nearly 380,000 e-books. Through a library of tens of thousands of full-text journals and magazines from renowned publishers, EBSCO serves the content needs of all researchers (Academic, Medical, K-12, Public Library, Corporate, Government, etc.). EBSCO is also the provider of EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS), which provides each institution with a fast, single search box for its entire collection, offering deeper indexing and more full-text searching of journals and magazines than any other discovery service (www.ebscohost.com/discovery). For more information, visit the EBSCO Web site at: www.ebsco.com. EBSCO is a division of EBSCO Industries Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.

About Library Journal
Founded in 1876, Library Journal (LJ) is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. More than 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journal reviews more than 8,000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. Visit www.libraryjournal.com.

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For more information, please contact:
Kathleen McEvoy
Public Relations Director
(800) 653-2726 ext. 2594
kmcevoy@ebsco.com