Nominations Open for 2010 MLA Hall of Fame

Three Librarians Inducted to MLA Hall of Fame at 2008 Annual Conference

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Ruth Kowal of the Boston Public Library, Krista McLeod of the Nevins Memorial Library (Methuen), and Sharon St. Hilaire of the Seekonk Public Library were inducted to the  Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Hall of Fame during the organization’s Annual Conference held May 9, 2008 at the Sea Crest Resort and Conference Center in Falmouth, MA.  This honor is bestowed upon practicing or retired librarians who have made a substantial, sustained contribution to advancing the cause of Massachusetts librarians or librarianship over a career of at least ten years. Inductees' contributions may be in the fields of public service, education, advocacy, mentoring, service to the profession, or other areas. Inductees may work or have worked in school, public, special, or academic libraries, in library education, agencies, or associations.

Beginning her career in a public library in Falmouth, Ruth Kowal, moved to the consortia/network sphere in Central and Eastern Massachusetts and Upstate New York organizations.  She now serves as Deputy Director of the Boston Public Library with wide-ranging responsibilities for both the physical (such as renovation and restoration of the McKim Building) and virtual/technical aspects of the Library (from the introduction of fax machines to the latest web developments).   She played a pivotal role in the creation of Massachusetts’ current six-region configuration which has resulted in multitype regions that provide tremendous benefits to over 1,200 libraries and their users.

During her career dedicated to library service she also served as President of NELINET, a New England Library Consortium.  She has served as a leader and mentor to many librarians sharing her vision and dedication to service across the Commonwealth.

Krista McLeod served as President of MLA and has worked tirelessly for many years advocating for libraries and for the Association. She is, perhaps, best know in her current role as Co-chair of the MLA Legislative Committee and organizer of numerous advocacy activities. She invites all library supporters to attend Library Legislative Day each year and reminds us of the importance of libraries to our society.  Behind the scenes she works with other leaders in the library community to advance the cause of libraries. Her efforts recently led to the first joint Legislative Day with MLA and Massachusetts School Library Association. She also served many positions, including President of the New England Library Association. At the local level, she serves as Director of the Nevins Memorial Library in Methuen and led the library through a tremendously successful renovation and expansion that resulted in a “showplace” library in that community.

During her career dedicated to library service she also served as President of NELINET, a New England Library Consortium. She has served as a leader and mentor to many librarians sharing her vision and dedication to service across the Commonwealth

Sharon St. Hilaire has been a change agent for public libraries since beginning her career in 1976 when she opened the East End Branch of the Fall River Public Library.  She was awarded her Master of Library Science from the University of Rhode Island, and has been Director of the Seekonk Public Library since 1977. 

Her leadership is evident in her roles Project Manager for the ABLE library network; Chairman of the Eastern Massachusetts Regional Library System Advisory Committee where she was instrumental in working to encourage the Board of Library Commissioners to provide state funding to the shared automated networks; Co-chair of the Eastern Region Planning Task Force, which was the basis for the statewide strategic plan and the birth of the regional systems as member driven non-profit corporations with multitype library membership.

MLA introduces between three and five inductees to the Hall of Fame Award during even numbered years at the its Annual Conference. Nominations are evaluated by the MLA Public Relations Committee and recommendations to name inductees are recommended and approved by the MLA Executive Board.

Previous MLA Hall of Fame Inductees

2006: Joseph Hopkins, Christine Kardokas, Anne M. O'Brien

2004:  Louise Brown, Kim Charlson, Marjorie Judd

2002 :  Keith Michael Fiels, Lois Kane, James Matarazzo, Anne Reynolds

2000:  Donna Guerin, Professor Ruth Leonard, Edward J. Montana

1998:  Maggie Bush, Audrey Friend, Shelley Quezada, Jan Resnick

1996:  Kay Bader, Connie Clancy, Virginia Tashjian