Awards recognize support to libraries

Exeter library receives award for Book It! 5K Fun Run

BERKS COUNTY

Berks County Public Libraries honored leadership and service excellence during its 21st Annual Awards Celebration on March 6.

Presented at the Berks County Agricultural Center in front of a packed auditorium, the event recognized individuals and organizations for their support and contributions to public libraries in Berks County.

Members of the library community nominated individuals, groups, or events that demonstrated outstanding commitment or service to their library and patrons. The Berks County Public Libraries Advisory Board considered nominations from 2023 and announced the category winners during the ceremony.

The evening began with the presentation of the Linda Baer Friend of the Year Award, which is presented in honor of Linda Baer, past president of the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries. First established in 2016, the award held special significance this year following Linda’s passing in 2023. She was a driving force behind the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries for nearly 20 years, and this award aims to recognize the significant and substantial commitment of time, energy and creativity of a single member of a local library Friends organization.

For her exceptional leadership skills and tireless dedication, Diane Pawling of the Friends of the Mifflin Community Library received this year’s Linda Baer Friend of the Year Award.

Presented at the Berks County Agricultural Center in front of a packed auditorium, the event recognized individuals and organizations for their support and contributions to public libraries in Berks County.

Berks County Public Libraries Advisory Board member, Helen Flynn, presented the Outstanding Library Volunteer award to Tori Johnson of the Fleetwood Area Public Library. Many in the audience wiped away tears during the speech by Tori’s mother, Jennifer, who expressed sincere gratitude to the library for providing an opportunity to Tori who has a deaf and blind diagnosis.

In her nomination, Fleetwood Library Director Christie Brown said: “Tori is always such a bright spot in our day and we are very grateful for everything she does here.”

Other award recipients include:

• Trustee of the Year — Christine Roth, Hamburg Public Library

• Outstanding Local Business — Castañeda’s Mexican Restaurant, Robesonia

• Outstanding Community Organization — The Food Trust, Philadelphia

• Outstanding Library Staff Member — Charlotte Hoare, Kutztown Community Library

• Outstanding Fundraising Effort — Book It! 5K Fun Run & 1 Mile Fun Run, Exeter Community Library

• Outstanding Program — Teen Reading Lounge, Brandywine Community Library

• Chet Hagan Memorial Public Relations Award — Exeter Community Library

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERKS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES Members of the Exeter Community Library celebrate winning the Chet Hagan Memorial Public Relations Award and Outstanding Fundraising Effort Award for its Book It! 5K Fun Run.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BERKS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES Berks County Public Libraries Advisory Board member Helen Flynn, second from right, stands with others from the Mifflin Community Library to celebrate Diane Pawling’s win of the Linda Baer Friend of the Year Award.

Members of the Kutztown Community Library stand with Charlotte Hoare, second from right, winner of the Outstanding Library Staff Member Award.

Members of the Brandywine Community Library pose with the Outstanding Program trophy presented by the Berks County Public Libraries.

Hamburg Library Director Chelsea Williams stands with Trustee of the Year winner Christine Roth.

The Outstanding Library Volunteer Award was presented to Tori Johnson, right, of the Fleetwood Area Public Library. Tori’s mother, Jennifer, left, expressed sincere gratitude to the library for providing an opportunity to Tori who has a deaf and blind diagnosis.

James Castaneda of Castañeda’s Mexican Restaurant of Robesonia won the Outstanding Local Business Award from the Berks County Public Libraries for support of the Robesonia Community Library.