Friends of the Troy Public Library Win National Award

The following information was submitted by Cindy Stewart/City of Troy.

The Friends of the are one of three Friends organizations nationwide that will be recognized with the 2011 Baker & Taylor Awards from the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) for their outstanding efforts to support their library.  Each winner of the award will receive a $1,000 check and a plaque to honor their achievements.

The Friends won this award for their efforts to prevent the Troy Public Library from closing and for working to ensure the continued operations of the Library for the next five years. The award was based on the scope of the group’s activities and judged on planning, implementation, evaluation, innovation and community involvement. 

“I am so proud of the Friends of the Troy Public Library. The Friends contribute enormously to the community and to the Troy Public Library, and I am thrilled that they are receiving the recognition they deserve,” Cathy Russ, Troy Public Library director, said.

This is the second award given to the Friends of the Troy Public Library this year. They also by the Friends of Michigan Libraries (FOML), for their efforts on behalf of the Library. In April, they received a plaque and $400. The Friends will also be recognized at the Troy City Council meeting on Monday, June 18.

“It is both humbling and gratifying that the Friends are being recognized for the good work that we do. We are an all-volunteer organization supporting library programs and equipment, but we are also focused on advocating for the importance of the library to the community to ensure its long-term success for every resident of Troy,” Rhonda Hendrickson, President of the Friends, said.

“We certainly thank the citizens that supported our efforts and who share our vision that the Troy Public Library makes both an educational and economic impact on the future of our City.”

The Baker & Taylor Awards have been given since 2000.  Baker & Taylor is a leading distributor of products to libraries, institutions and retailers. The winners will be recognized during ALTAFF’s Gala Author Tea on Monday, June 25 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California.  ALTAFF is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate and fundraise for libraries.

Membership in the Friends is a vital part of promoting and supporting the Troy Library. Membership for an individual is just $10 and information is available in both shops, at the Friends website, www.friendstpl.org and on Facebook.  Membership will provide updates on the Friends many activities, ways to help TPL and coupons for the shops.  Join the Friends and continue the great community support for our nationally ranked public library.