Delaware County Libraries Hosts Legislative Breakfast, Honors Community Leaders
Media, PA — On Friday, March 6, Delaware County Libraries and the Middletown Free Library hosted a Legislative Breakfast and Awards ceremony to celebrate the impact public libraries have on our communities. The event was attended by members of Delaware County Council, state and local legislators, municipal officials, library board members and trustees, and library staff.
At the event, awards were presented in three categories, recognizing champions of library service; Extraordinary Public Official, Outstanding Citizen, and Exceptional Library Worker. William DeFeo III, Township Manager for Aston Township, was presented with the award for Extraordinary Public Official. This award is given annually to a public official for exemplary support of library service in Delaware County. Mr. DeFeo responded to fiscal concerns at the Aston Library by identifying synergy between the Township and Library to positively impact the library. His collaboration with the library, reinforced by experience as a library trustee in the past, enriches the library and its service to the community.
Two awards were presented for Outstanding Citizen. This award is presented to a community member or group in recognition of outstanding leadership, support, and service to library development at the local or system level. The first was awarded posthumously to Marcia “Marcy” Abrams, longtime member of the Marple Public Library Board of Trustees and revered book seller. Ms. Abrams was a fierce supporter of staff, patrons, and the Freedom to Read. She was on the forefront of developing the Marple Public Library for the community with steadfast leadership spanning decades. Her son, Corey Abrams, accepted the award in her memory. The second went to the Library Foundation of Delaware County for their work to enhance the essential services provided by the libraries of Delaware County through grantmaking and raising the profile of libraries.
The award for Exceptional Library Worker went to Dr. Jean Kosha, Program Coordinator at the Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library-Municipal Branch. This award is reserved for individual library workers making outstanding contributions to their library or the library system each year. Dr. Kosha is particularly recognized for her work with the Teen Advisory Board at the Municipal Branch. Her programs create spaces and opportunities for younger patrons to advocate for themselves and each other, and to foster connections and goodwill within the library and the area where they live.
A number of remarks were given including from Delaware County Council members Dr. Monica Taylor and Elaine Paul Schaefer, Parag Dalal, President of the Middletown Free Library Board, and Helen Grommell-McGrane, President of the Delaware County Libraries’ Board. They spoke of the unique partnerships that make libraries strong, the wide range of services provided, and the dedication of those who work and govern the libraries.
Breakfast attendees had the opportunity to learn about the impact of libraries through an art display created collaboratively with member libraries. Additionally, they were invited to try the Library Value Calculator to calculate how much money they save monthly by using library resources provided at no cost to users. Finally, the Delaware County Libraries’ Impact Report was released. Everyone is invited to view the report at delcolibraries.org/impact-report.
Delaware County Libraries is an agency of county government that provides support services for 26 independent member libraries. For information about the wide range of library services available to all county residents, visit delcolibraries.org/.