Columbus Public Library #1 in the Country!!!!

We're the 2010 Library of the Year
Library Journal and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, today announced Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), has been named 2010 Library of the Year.
Click here to hear more about this award from CML Executive Director Patrick Losinski.

Each year this recognition goes to the public library in the United States that most profoundly demonstrates service to community, creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs, and leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by others. In addition to a cash award of $10,000, Columbus Metropolitan Library will be featured as the cover story for the June 15, 2010, issue of Library Journal.
According to Library Journal’s Editor-at-Large John N. Berry III, “The culture of CML has become one of perpetual strategic planning, adaptability, constant investment in efficiency and attention to chosen priorities. It has imbued the staff with an unusual receptivity to change, and they get and engineer lots of it and rework the plan at regular intervals.”
“Gale is proud to support libraries through the Library of the Year Award and to recognize Columbus Metropolitan Library as this year’s recipient,” said Patrick C. Sommers, president of Gale. “The innovative work being done in Columbus, in particular through community outreach efforts such as the Ready to Read Corp, Job Help Centers and Homework Help Centers, is to be emulated. We applaud the Columbus Metropolitan Library for its commitment to explore new and exciting ways to support its community.”
“This is one of the highest honors a public library can receive,” said Patrick Losinski, Columbus Metropolitan Library’s executive director. “We strive to provide the most valuable and relevant services for our customers, and they truly support us and the work that we do. We are so grateful that the central Ohio community has helped propel us to this level of excellence.
“This award celebrates our unique and successful programs, as well as the exceptional service our staff provides every day,” Losinski continued. “We want to ensure that we serve as a solution to the challenges our society is facing as a whole. This award acknowledges that we are really making a difference.”
Special mentions for Library of the Year were also given to Anythink-Rangeview Library District, Northglenn, CO; Jefferson County Public Library, Lakewood, CO and King County Library System, Issaquah, WA in recognition of their service philosophy and dedication to community.
The 2010 Library of the Year Award will be presented formally at a gala reception at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2010.
June 7, 2010