Awards

Excellence in Library Service Award (ELSA)

Purpose:
The ELSA is designed to recognize dedication to public service demonstrated by any staff member of a public, school, special or academic library. We welcome nominations submitted by any employee of a Suffolk County library or any Suffolk County library patron.

Eligibility:
Pages, clerks, librarians and trainees, as well as office, custodial and security staff from any Suffolk County library are eligible.

To Qualify:
The nominee must work at least 17.5 hours per week, and have worked a minimum of one year in his/her current position. People who have been nominated in the past may be nominated again.

Criteria:
Outstanding public service may be demonstrated by fostering team spirit, exemplary job performance, promoting good will among patrons and staff, or an innovative approach to one's work.

How to nominate a colleague:
Complete the ELSA nomination form; write a nomination of between 250 and 500 words explaining the impact the nominee has had on his/her library. (In order to insure impartiality, please refer to the nominee as "nominee" and their library as "library."); submit two (2) letters of recommendation from co-workers and/or patrons. Include specific examples in these letters. The examples are very helpful to the selection process.

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2011 SUFFOLK COUNTY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
EXCELLENCE IN LIBRARY SERVICE AWARD WINNER

Five Suffolk County library staff members were nominated this year's Suffolk County Library Association's Excellence in Library Service Award. The ELSA is designed to recognize dedication to public service demonstrated by a staff member of a public, school, special or academic library. The committee welcomes nominations submitted by any employee of a Suffolk County library or any Suffolk County library patron. In order to be eligible, the candidate must work at least 17.5 hours per week and have worked a minimum of one year in his/her current position. The candidate must prove outstanding public services by demonstrating team spirit and exemplary job performance while promoting good will among patrons and staff. Each nomination must include two letters of recommendation.

The ELSA committee went through a rigorous process in order to select this year's winner and is happy to announce the twelfth annual ELSA was presented to Administrative Assistant Christine Keeley from the West Babylon Public Library.

Ms. Keeley started her employment at the West Babylon Library in September 1983 as a part-time clerk and worked her way up to being in charge of both Circulation and Technical Services. She remembers when the Library opened as a browsing collection with a card catalog-and marvels at how it has evolved and embraced technology. One of her favorite things about working in the Library (and specifically Technical Services) is getting to see every book that enters the collection. Judging from the written testimonies submitted by her colleagues, Ms. Keeley is truly an outstanding employee who helps the library accomplish its mission. She emerged as the winner not only because of her exemplary job performance, but because it is evident to patrons and fellow staff members that she approaches her job with dedication, professionalism and care. She has been described as both a mentor and the embodiment of public service. The committee was particularly impressed with the examples of her innovation and versatility. Her "can do" attitude, positive spirit and commitment exemplify the intention of the ELSA award.

Ms. Keeley lives in West Babylon with her husband Jim. They have been married for 43 years and have two children, Stacy and Jay and a son-in-law, Jim. She is also the grandmother to three exceptional grandchildren, Kelsey, Liam and Cameron.

The ELSA committee chairperson, Jennifer Fowler presented Ms. Keeley with an engraved plaque and a $250.00 American Express Gift Card at the Suffolk County Library Association's annual dinner on November 18, 2011.

(Left to right) West Babylon Public Library Director AnnMarie Dolan with 2011 ELSA Winner Christine Keeley

Past Winners:

2010: Karen Drummond, Babylon Public Library & Kevin McCoy, Suffolk County Community College
2009: Mary Anne Stevens, The Smithtown Library
2008: Laura Dickerson, Shelter Island Public Library
2007: Joseph Cortale, Floyd Memorial Library
2006: Arlene Schmidt, Smithtown Library
2005: Carolyn Agenjo, West Islip Public Library
2004: Eleanor Koller, Riverhead Free Library
2003: Pat Pankowski, Patchogue-Medford Library
2002: Carolyn Hasler, Huntington Public Library
2001: Frances Johannemann, Riverhead Free Library
2000: Jose Tolentino, Northport-East Northport Public Library

 

 

Page last updated 12/20/2011