MLA Outstanding Paralibrarian
and MLA Paralibrarian Advocate

Every year, the Paralibrarian Section of MLA gives out 2 awards.  One goes to an Outstanding Paralibrarian, a non-MLS library staffer who goes above and beyond the limits of the job title, and who exemplifies the ideal that true professionalism isn’t limited to professional librarians. The Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year goes to a person who truly appreciates the value of paralibrarians in our libraries, and who has worked to increase their opportunities and visibility.  These 2 award winners are chosen from nominees across the state.

2012 Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year: Hope Schneider, Technical Services, Greenfield Community College Library. Hope stands out among a group of outstanding paralibrarians. Her work ranges to all areas of the library, including as a designated Library Systems Administrator for the CWMars change over to Evergreen. She helped develop a self-governance structure and is a member of the Affairs Standing Committee, and committees including college search, scholarship for study abroad, and diversity events. Hope is liaison to the Greenfield Public Library, and works to promote community wide programs. The nomination letter said: Hope "exhibits adaptability, takes initiative and inspires others. [She] is a problem solver with a can-do attitude."

2012 Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year: Geraldine Deyermond, Assistant Head of Circulation, Memorial Hall Library, Andover, MA. Gerry shines as a Paralibrarian Advocate for her leadership of the MLA Paralibrarian Section as Chair and for her work with the Career Development committee. As well, she is the spark behind the MLA Book Cart Drill Team competition, and the Andover Cartwheelers BCDT marches in town parades to highlight team work and community connections. Gerry was honored as "One To Watch" by Library Journal (2010) and has achieved a PARA Level II. The nomination letter said: Gerry is "unfailingly cheerful, kind, dedicated, and passionate about her work."

2012 Nominees for Outstanding Paralibrarian and Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year:

Armine Bagdasarian- Regis College, Weston
Alexis Bergeron- Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
Lyndal Blodgett- Concord Free Library
Gerry Deyermond-Memorial Hall Library, Andover
Martha Grant- Melrose Public Library
Cindy Hinckley-Sherborn Library
Debbie Hogan-Henry Whittmore Library, Framingham State University
Amanda McClaine-Cary Memorial Library, Lexington
Carla B. Morrissey- Mt Wachusett Community College, Gardner
Hope Schneider-Greenfield Community College Library
Judith Straeffer-Chelmsford High School Learning Commons
Joan Sutherland- East Forest Park Branch Library, Springfield
Group Nomination–Millis Public Library
Donna Brooks, Joan Dikun, Nancy Doyle,
Lorraine Fermano, Karen Mortimer, Maria Neville, Rena Romano, Marcie Smith, Betsy Vecchi

Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year

2011 Barbara Diamond Goldin, Southampton Library

2011 Nominees for Outstanding Paralibrarian

Darsana Barua, Boxford Public Library; Leslie Baskin, Andover, MA; Nancy Colby, Millville Public Library; Barbara Diamond Goldin, Easthampton, MA; Liz Goodwin, Melrose Public Library; Donna Brooks, Joan Dikun, Nancy Doyle, Lorraine Fermano, Rena Romano, Marcie Smith, Millis Public Library; Karen Horn, Barnstable Public Library; Rose Huling, Natick Public Library; Christine Nault, Weymouth Public Library; Shiela Robeau, Millville Public Library; Lori Salotto, Middleborough Public Library

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2010 Anne White, Worcester Public Library

2010 Nominees for Outstanding Paralibrarian

Kathy Connors, Avon Public Library; Denise Creamer, Woburn Public Library; Kate Ferreira, Chatham Public Library; Barbara Diamond Goldin, Easthampton, MA; Deborah Jankowski, Pittsfield Taconic High School Library;  Heidi Kane, Wilbraham Public Library; Sandra Leifeld, Newton Free Library; Lyn Lesperance, Yarmouth Port Library; Michael Magelinski, West Springfield Public Library; Fran Magro, Methuen, MA; Emily Milan, Brooks Free Library; Jeanne Sill, Littleton, MA; Lisa Stratton, Upton Public Library; Barbara Diamond Goldin, Easthampton Library; Anne White, Worcester Public Library; Shirley Keech, Western Mass. Regional Library System

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2009 Betty Emery, Merrimac Public Library, Merrimac

2008 Melissa Caissie, Hudson Public Library, Hudson

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2007 Laurie Christie, Morse Institute Library, Natick

2007 Nominees for Outstanding Paralibrarian

Tammy Amon , Falmouth Public Library; Rebecca Bogart, Goodnow Public Library, Sudbury, MA; Anne Casey, Waltham Public Library; Hal Garneau , Vineyard Haven Public Library, Martha's Vineyard, MA; Deborah Jankowski Taconic High School Library, Pittsfield, MA; Pamela Johnson, Sutton Public Library; Sarah Lavigne, Smith Elementary Public Library, Danvers, MA;Daniel J. Lee, Middlesex House of Corrections Prison Library; Molly Lewis, Boston Latin Academy Hapgood Library, Boston, MA; Muriel Maher, Charlotte Mukland Elementary School, Lowell, MA; Joanne Miles, Wellesley Free Library; Hannele Minsk, Kingston Public Library; Joanne Nichting, East Longmeadow Public Library; Jane Pernaa, Fitchburg Public Library; Janet M. Smith, Abbot Public Library, Marblehead, MA; Carrie Tobey, Jonathan Bourne Public Library, Bourne, MA; Diane Walsh, Babson Library, Springfield College, Springfield, MA

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2006 Denise Faucher, Worcester Public Library

2006 Nominees for Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year Award

Karen Beaulieu, Monson Free Library; Kimberly Bourque, Douglas Elementary School; Ruth Bradshaw, Watertown Free Public Library; Lisa Brewer, Saugus Public & Lexington Public libraries; Andrea Curran, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton; Gerry Deyermond, Memorial Hall Library, Andover; Nancy Dobiel, Tufts Library, Weymouth; Marie Field, Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield; Janet Graham, McQuade Library, Merrimack College; Patricia Link, Northborough Free Library; Cathy Livingstone, Oxford Public Library; Robin Martin, North Adams Public Library; Jim McGinn, Peabody Institute Library; Hannele Minsk, Kingston Public Library; Andrew Montalto, Middlesex Law Library; Joanne Nichting, East Longmeadow Public Library; Patrice O’Donnell, Reading Public Library; Amy Perriello, Tufts Library, Weymouth; Amy Regan, Dunstable Free Public Library; Karen Rogati, Jenks Library, Gordon College; Georgiana Schmid, Leverett Elementary School Library; Brian Tabor, Forbes Library, Northampton; Corinna Tiberii, Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge.

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2005 Kathleen Swetish, Whelden Memorial Library, West Barnstable

2004 Lynne Riley, formerly of Holy Cross Library, Worcester

 

Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year

2011 Robin Demas, Head of Circulation Department, Concord Free Library, Concord.

2011 Nominees for Paralibrarian Advocate

Leslie Todd, Haverhill Public Library; Robin Demas, Concord Free Library

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2010 Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, Boston Public Library

2010 Nominees for Paralibrarian Advocate:

Leslie Todd, Haverhill Public Library; Michael Colford, Boston Public Library-

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2009 Susan Babb, Massachusetts Library System (MLS)

2008 James Sutton, Memorial Hall Library, Andover

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2007 Marnie Oakes, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

2007 Nominees for Paralibrarian Advocate:

Joanne Lamothe, Weymouth Public Library; Michael Colford, Boston Regional Library System, Boston Public Library; Marnie Oakes, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton; Geraldine Deyermond, Memorial Hall Library, Andover, MA

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2006 Gael Nappa, Haverhill Public Library, Haverhill

2005 Deborah Bockus, George C. Gordon Library, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester

2004 Allison Sloan, Reading Public Library, Reading

 

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2006 Honorary Award:  Elizabeth Marcus Wolfe, Director, Marlborough Public Library, Marlborough.  The MLA Paralibrarian Section presented this special award to Betsey in appreciation of her leadership, advocacy, and continued support.  Betsey served as the Chair of the Paralibrarian for two years, and was instrumental in reviving strong activity in the section and in fostering development of the PARA program.