NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Christi Buker, PA Library Association Executive Director
717-766-7663 or [email protected]
Joann Eichenlaub and June Houghtaling of Williamsport and Marissa Guidara of Reading
Mechanicsburg, PA (September 24, 2020) – Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth.
On Thursday, September 24, 2020, three members of the Association were honored with Certificates of Merit.
Certificates of Merit are awarded to individuals making outstanding contributions during the last five years in Pennsylvania.
This year’s winners are Joann Eichenlaub of the Madigan Library Pennsylvania College of Technology, in Williamsport, Marissa Guidara of the Reading Library District in Reading, June Houghtaling, Consultant for the North Central Library District at the James V Brown Library in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Joann Eichenlaub chairs the PA Forward® Steering Committee and is now helping both the PA Forward® and its Star program to adapt to the changing landscape of library services during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. She also dedicates her time serving as a Director at Large for the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Library Association since 2017.
Marissa Guidara’s steady support and mentorship has empowered others to take on positions of leadership, further themselves educationally and to step forward in bringing their bravest ideas to fruition. She has also volunteered on the Carolyn W. Field Subcommittee of the Youth Services Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association and the Awards Committee.
June Houghtaling has made many contributions to the Pennsylvania Library Association include involvement in her local West Branch Chapter, the PaLA Academy for Leadership Studies, the Mentorship Program, Chairing the PA Forward® Training Team and involvement in many committees and annual conferences.
“Our members and libraries have been doing amazing things, particularly during this pandemic” said Michele Legate, 2020 President of the Pennsylvania Library Association. “It is so important to take a little time to recognize the incredible work that our colleagues have done.”
A committee comprised of association members reviews the nominations, submitted in late summer, and selects winners for a series of categories. Awardees are then invited to attend the association’s annual conference where they are recognized among the membership, their peers, representing all library types and sizes from throughout Pennsylvania.
“The Pennsylvania Library Association is able to do what we do thanks to the unwavering efforts of our volunteers and our members,” said Christi Buker, PaLA Executive Director. “These awards are just our small way of shining a light on what all librarians, library staffs and our volunteers do to continue promoting the value libraries bring to communities they serve. We are thankful for their support and engagement and are honored to be able to recognize their efforts. Congratulations to all of our 2020 winners.”
A committee comprised of association members reviews the nominations, submitted in late summer, and selects winners for a series of categories. Awardees are then invited to attend the association’s annual conference where they are recognized among the membership, their peers, representing all library types and sizes from throughout Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1901, the Pennsylvania Library Association is the state’s oldest and most diverse professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Library groups.
PaLA represents more than 1,300 personal, institutional, and commercial members affiliated with public, academic, special and school libraries throughout the commonwealth. The association represents the profession in Harrisburg with the state legislature and provides opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and continuing education for librarians. For a listing of previous award winners, click here. For more information about the work of the Pennsylvania Library Association, visit www.palibraries.org.