Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year
2005 Kathleen Swetish, Whelden Memorial Library, West Barnstable
2004 Lynne Riley, Holy Cross Library, Worcester
Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year
2005 Deborah Bockus, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester
2004 Allison DaSilva, Reading Public Library, Reading
Winners were chosen at the MLA Conference in Falmouth on May 11th. With a field of 25 distinguished and talented nominees, it was tough for the Executive Committee of the Paralibrarian Section to choose only one winner in each category. Kathy and Deb had to be (and are) superstars, exemplifying the best that our library community has to offer.
The Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year award goes to a non-MLS library staffer who goes above and beyond the limits of a job title, meeting high standards of service and excellence and showing pride in library work. This person exemplifies the ideal that true professionalism isn’t limited to professional librarians.
The Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year award goes to a person who knows the value of paralibrarians in our libraries, and has worked to increase visibility and opportunities for non-MLS staff. This person may or may not be a paralibrarian – s/he could be a director, a supervisor, a colleague – anyone who has demonstrated outstanding support for library paralibrarians.