Ruth Sias Receives
2011 Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award
The Outreach Services Roundtable has chosen Ruth Sias as the 2011 recipient of the Frances de Usabel award.
Ruth Sias is the Children's Librarian at the Goodman South Madison branch of the Madison Public Library. She was chosen for exemplary work with children and families in local hospitals. Ruth was nominated for the award by Dipesh Navsaria, the director of the University of Wisconsin Pediatric Early Literacy Projects.
According to Dr. Navsaria, Sias was instrumental in developing an outreach program to promote reading and literacy to children and families at local clinics. In addition to providing direct services, she trained volunteers to engage children and parents in stories using effective modeling and reading techniques. After working closely with hospital and university professionals to make this program successful, she initiated plans to expand the program to reach more families in her service area and beyond. Furthermore, she has shared her experiences as a conference presenter, teaching other librarians about this innovative collaboration.
Sias accepted her award at the WLA Awards & Honors Banquet on Thursday, November 3 in Milwaukee.
The Outreach Services Round Table is the proud sponsor of the Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award, presented annually to a “library or librarian who has provided exemplary library outreach services to underserved populations.”
The award may be for a specific project or projects or for outstanding lifetime achievement in outreach services. Applications for the Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award are due September 1.
The award is named in honor of the former Special Needs Consultant for the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning, Frances de Usabel. Frances worked diligently and successfully to advance outreach services in Wisconsin public libraries for many years. Public, academic, school or special libraries and librarians are all eligible and encouraged to apply.
Nominees should be members of the Wisconsin Library Association but need not be members of the Outreach Services Round Table--the winner will receive a one-year membership in the Outreach Services Round Table. The amount of the award is $250. The award will be presented at the WLA Annual Conference Awards Banquet.
If you have any questions about this award, please contact Holly Selwitschka, 920-582-7091.
Past Winners of the Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award
Application for the Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award (Word)