Whitehall Librarian Recognized With National Public Service Honor

Last Updated on Friday, 28 December 2018 01:56

Paula Kelly, director of the Whitehall Public Library, was one of the winners of this year’s ‘I Love My Librarian Award’.

Paula Kelly

The award is given to those recognized for their leadership in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. Kelly is one of only 10 librarians selected this year to receive this national honor.

Kelly is a multi-award winning librarian who is committed to inclusion, partnerships and collaboration. She is a recognized leader throughout her county’s consortium of libraries and readily shares her education, programming and advocacy strategies with peers locally and beyond. She is known for her support of library programs that make the library immigrant-friendly and accessible to diverse populations, including Pittsburgh’s substantial population of Bhutanese refugees. As a volunteer literacy tutor, Kelly helped enhance literacy rates within local refugee communities and has fostered understanding by working to offer multicultural potluck dinners. Her nominators also noted Kelly’s contributions to creating resources that better the lives of special needs children.

“Winning this award is a tremendous personal honor and a reflection of the amazing support that I receive from my staff and board,” Kelly said. “Public service is rewarding, and nothing is more rewarding than being a librarian.”

Kelly will receive a $5,000 prize at an award ceremony and reception to be held in New York City. The ceremony is hosted by Carnegie Corporation of New York, which co-sponsors the award along with The New York Public Library and The New York Times. The American Library Association administers the award through its Communications and Marketing Office, which promotes the value of libraries and librarians.

For more information regarding the 2018 ‘I Love My Librarian Award’ recipients, please visit www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian. For event highlights and additional information regarding this year’s winners and the importance of their work in the community please follow #ILoveMyLibrarian.