Nominations open for 2016 FLLS Annual Meeting Awards

Each year the Finger Lakes Library System pays tribute to individuals in our member libraries and communities who have delivered outstanding service to libraries. The awards will be presented at our Annual Meeting on October 14, 2016. Any Board member, staff member, volunteer or patron is welcome to submit nominations, and self-nominations are welcome.

Please share this information widely, and take a moment to submit your nominations today!  Nominations can be submitted online (preferred) at www.flls.org/awards. Paper nomination forms are also available upon request by contacting me at 607-273-4074, x221 or dleigh@flls.org. The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 26^th.

For photos of previous award winners, check out our Annual Meeting Album on Facebook.

Director of the Year Award:

This award is given by the FLLS Board of Trustees to a member library director for significant achievement in providing improved library service to their community or region.  Activities that qualify might include but are not limited to the following:

• Initiating new programs and services
• Improving/expanding the collection
• Increasing hours open
• Providing leadership to fellow library directors for quality library service

Trustee of the Year Award:

This award is given by the FLLS Board of Trustees to a trustee of a member library for significant contribution to the improvement or development of library service in their community. Achievements should exceed normal expectations of trustees.  Activities that qualify might include but are not limited to the following:

• Acting as an advocate for the library with community leaders and governments
• Successfully managing a building construction that results in an improved library facility
• Successfully executing a fundraising campaign that results in significant increase in library funds
• Working closely with the library director to expand and improve library programs and services

Jan Aguirre Customer Service Excellence Award:

This award is given by the FLLS Board of Trustees to a member library employee, volunteer, or trustee who possesses the enthusiasm, grace, friendliness, and patience that Jan did for training and helping others.

Ruth Polson Distinguished Service Award:

This award is given by the FLLS Board of Trustees to someone who makes a significant contribution to the betterment of library service in the region; or to someone who, over time, makes a significant contribution to their local library.  Activities that qualify might include but are not limited to the following:

• Acting as an advocate for a library or libraries in the community with beneficial results such as increased funding, or a new facility
• Making significant contributions to an individual or group of libraries in the form of financial donations or in-kind services
• Assist an individual or group of libraries to significantly expand or improve their facility, programs or services

Joan Cooke Youth Services Award:
This award is given by the FLLS Board of Trustees to a member library employee, volunteer, or trustee for excellence in the delivery of children’s services in their community.  Activities that qualify might include but are not limited to the following:

• Improving the children’s and/or young adult section of the library facility
• Developing or expanding programs library offered for the community’s young people
• Expanding or improving the library’s collection of materials for young people
• Working with other youth oriented groups or agencies in the community to improve services to young people

Outreach Award:
This award is given by the FLLS Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC) in recognition of outstanding service to underserved groups and people with special needs. Library outreach can be any program, resource, partnership, service, or activity that helps our targeted outreach populations use library resources. Our targeted outreach populations include:

• individuals who are 65+ years old
• individuals with visual, physical, or developmental disabilities
• residents of institutional facilities (i.e. correctional facilities, group homes, long-term care facilities, nursing homes)
• individuals with an educational disadvantage (i.e. people who have below-average skills with reading, writing, or basic computer literacy)
• job seekers (including people who are unemployed/underemployed)
• individuals who are geographically isolated
• ethnic minorities
• incarcerated individuals and individuals with criminal records