North Country Reference and Research Resources Council 7 Commerce Lane Canton, NY 13617 (315) 386-4569

June/July 1999

Allen Awarded At Annual Meeting A woman who has been described by her peers as having the qualities of ability, commitment, community involvement and integrity was selected as the recipient of the Ninth Annual Award for Excellence in Library Service. The award was presented to Janice Allen, Director of the Paine Memorial Library in Willsboro during the 34th Annual North Country Reference and Research Resources Council meeting recently held in Alexandria Bay. Among the criteria which are reviewed for those nominated are the nominee's contributions to the following: the encouragement of reading and creation of inducements to greater use of library materials; the promotion of interlibrary cooperation and sharing; and the strengthening of the library's role and position in the community, whether that community is a city or town, a school, college or university, or a company, corporation or institution. A Community Visionary A number of confidential letters of nomination were submitted on behalf of Janice Allen. The following are a few excerpts taken from those letters. One peer said, "She puts her clientele first, looking to their needs. The hallmark of a successful public library is its ability to weave itself into its community and become an integral part of the community's fabric and life. People from all backgrounds turn to her and the library for ideas, reassurance and leadership." "Ms. Allen has transformed the Paine Memorial Library from the once silent, cold building where you could get a book on loan, to an information Mecca for our community," a peer said. "Our once dormant library has blossomed to life under her direction." "Janice has been librarian for nearly 30 years,"another peer said, noting Janice will be retiring in June 2000. "In that time, not only have library programs expanded, but the physical facility has grown from one floor in an otherwise underutilized building to an attractive physical plant utilizing all the building space." Nearly every letter of support for Janice pointed to her involvement and organization with the Paine Library's story hour and summer reading program. "Our students come into the school with a love of books and a love of the library," a peer said. "She has developed a collection that meets the needs not only of the general public, but also for our high school students." "...because of Janice's vision and vitality, the Library has become a veritable community center which provides a wide array of informational services to people of all ages," yet another peer said. "When the technological revolution erupted, Janice was adamant that PML become an electronic doorway library as soon as possible."