Waukesha Public Library Receives Top Award

Waukesha Public Library recently was named the 2011 Wisconsin Library of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association. 

The honor is given to one library each year that exhibits distinguished achievement in service and excellence in the areas of collections, user-oriented services, cooperation with other libraries and organizations, opportunities for professional growth and changes or improvements to physical facilities that result in improved service to their communities.

WLA Awards and Honors Committee Chair Rebecca Dougherty noted that Waukesha Public Library exceeds the five award criteria established by the committee, and “is clearly appreciated within its own community, and we are happy to recognize its achievements as well.

“From the facility to the staff to the programs and community partnerships, Waukesha Public Library has much of which to be proud and is a great example of a Library of the Year,” Dougherty said.

Dougherty also praised the strong community partnerships that Waukesha Public Library has forged with organizations such as the School District of Waukesha, local businesses, UW-Waukesha, Carroll University, Waukesha County Technical College, Waukesha Civic Theater, the West End Artists Association, Waukesha County Project Head Start, Waukesha County Historical Society and more.

The Wisconsin Library Association went on to applaud the library’s two-phase building project, which has culminated in better service to customers of all ages, its public art program which has made the library a space to experience visual art and a history of proactive planning evidenced by the creation of the system wide CAFÉ library catalog.

 “This recognition reflects positively on so many parties:  a strong, dedicated library staff that stretches itself to provide the best possible service, a library board comprised of 11 citizen volunteers who take their mission most seriously, a Common Council that funds the library’s initiatives and members of our community who use and support their library,” said library director Jane Ameel.  “All have a great deal to be proud of.”

 As president of the Waukesha Public Library Board of Trustees, Paul Kasprowicz said that he is “gratified that the hard work of our management, staff, volunteers and board has been recognized with the Wisconsin Library of the Year award by the WLA.

“I am hopeful that the City of Waukesha and Waukesha County will continue their support as we move forward with our 21st century initiatives and increase our community collaboration,” Kasprowicz said.

“Our award-winning library adds beautifully to the rebirth and revival of our city,” said Mayor Jeff Scrima.

The award will be presented to the Library during an awards and honors banquet to be held in Milwaukee on Nov. 3 as part of the association’s annual conference.

–This information was provided to Waukesha Patch by the Waukesha Public Library.