Overview
The Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award is given annually to recognize the achievements of small, medium and large libraries and library consortia in New York State. Named after the late Joseph F. Shubert, former State Librarian, the Award honors libraries or library consortia that have taken significant steps within the past two years to improve the quality of library service to users.
The New York State Regents Advisory Council is pleased to sponsor the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award. The award includes a gift of $1,000 supplied by the Friends of the New York State Library. Other notable projects may also be recognized and honored for their achievements.
2024 Recipient
Suffolk Cooperative Library System Recognized for Climate Change Leadership
The New York State Library and the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries has selected the Suffolk Cooperative Library System (SCLS) to receive the distinguished 2024 Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award. This commendation, accompanied by $1,000 and a commemorative certificate, is courtesy of The Friends of the New York State Library. It was awarded in acknowledgement of the system’s successful leadership of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI).
Regents Advisory Council on Libraries member María Fernanda Pardo said, “SCLS's response to one of the biggest issues facing our planet has contributed to successfully facilitate information by becoming home to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. The increased number of sustainable libraries in Suffolk County is impressive. In addition, SCLS through SLI efforts has impacted the entire community of Suffolk County and the entirety of Long Island by adopting new sustainable changes in infrastructure. Suffolk County libraries are becoming leaders in responding to climate change, setting a great example and educating the communities they serve. All these efforts can positively impact the lives and future of the entire world.”
State Librarian Lauren Moore said, “In taking on the administration of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, the Suffolk Cooperative Library System has positioned New York’s libraries at the forefront of a global movement to combat climate change and foster vibrant, sustainable communities. We are proud to present the Suffolk Cooperative Library System with the Joseph E. Shubert Award, honoring their unwavering commitment to achieving a bold vision for libraries in New York and beyond.”
After witnessing the devastating effects of climate change following Superstorm Sandy, the Suffolk Cooperative Library System was moved to act. They invited the Sustainable Libraries Initiative to join them in this effort by providing funding assistance, office space, and administrative support to staff. Additionally, Suffolk Cooperative Library System helped increase the Initiative’s reach by offering free membership to all Suffolk County member libraries.
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is a groundbreaking project providing leadership on sustainability and climate action. It is the go-to resource to help libraries respond to climate change, which the American Library Association (ALA) has called “the grandest challenge of our generation.” This initiative provides tools for libraries to track and reduce their carbon footprints, as well as policy templates, a sustainability-supporting vendors database, and a robust community of practice with monthly meetings, case studies, and program guides. Most recently, the Sustainable Libraries Initiative partnered with ALA to develop the National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries, calling upon the library profession to sharpen its focus and work with deliberate intensity in key areas to ensure that libraries and the communities they serve thrive in the face of climate change’s impacts.
The Suffolk Cooperative Library System has promoted the Sustainable Libraries Initiative beyond its own service area, extending the reach of the Sustainable Library Certification Program to libraries across North America. 29 SCLS member libraries and more than 120 additional libraries across the continent have taken part so far. Final presentations by libraries that complete the program can be viewed on the Sustainable Libraries Initiative website. The Joseph F. Shubert Excellence Award was officially presented to the Suffolk Cooperative Library System at the recent New York Library Association Conference held in Syracuse, New York on November 8th.
2023 Recipient
Yonkers Public Library is 2023 Shubert Library Excellence Award Winner
The New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries is pleased to announce that the 2023 Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award has been awarded to Yonkers Public Library for its Summer Reading Buddies program.
The award was officially presented at the 2023 New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga, NY. As the 2023 Shubert Award winner, Yonkers Public Library will receive $1,000, which is graciously donated by the Friends of the New York State Library.
The Summer Reading Buddies program trains volunteer mentors, who are mainly older adults, in the best practices around reading with and to new readers, many of whom are first generation English speakers. Originally launched in 2004, Summer Reading Buddies expanded following the COVID-19 pandemic by adding community partners including Yonkers Public Schools, local STEM organizations, financial and health literacy partners, elected officials, and more. This enabled the program to extend beyond reading into offering wraparound services for families, including nutritional support, parenting workshops, fun and inviting programs and spaces, and intergenerational mentorship and relationship building. Combined, the program not only provides the educational benefits of reading but also supports the physical, social and emotional health of the participants. In 2023, the Yonkers Public Library hosted 110 mentors and 397 students for each of its six weeks, with students reading 1,822 books. While doing so, the library also distributed 350 meals per day to families in need, for a total of 6,228 meals over the course of the program.
The Shubert Award Committee commends this work, and unanimously awarded the 2023 Shubert Award to the Yonkers Public Library. The Summer Reading Buddies program exemplifies the values and principles in the Regents Advisory Council’s Vision for Libraries document by advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through the development of collaborative relationships to support thriving, resilient, and responsive communities.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “Congratulations to the Yonkers Public Library on receiving the revered 2023 Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award. The impact of their Summer Reading Buddies program extends far beyond the pages of a book. The program is an excellent example on the importance of fostering a vibrant and supportive learning environment for residents of all ages while also focusing on the broader needs and well-being of the greater community.”
Commissioner of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “The Yonkers Public Library’s Summer Reading Buddies Program exemplifies the transformative power of intergenerational mentorship and literacy initiatives. The Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award recognizes their unwavering commitment to fostering a love for reading and enriching the lives of our community members. Congratulations to the library and all of the program participants for such a powerful demonstration of the value of community connections and for making a difference in the lives of both the mentors and students.”
Members of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries 2023 Shubert Award Committee were Lauren Moore, State Librarian, S. Michele Echols, Shakema Miller, and Grace Riario.
The Joseph F. Shubert Excellence Award is given annually to recognize the achievements of libraries and library consortia in New York State. The Award honors libraries or library consortia that have taken significant steps within the past two years to improve the quality of library service to users. Joseph F. Shubert served as New York State Librarian from 1977 to 1996.
Previous Award Recipients
- 2022: New York City School Library System, Citywide Digital Library program
- 2020: Nyack Library, Black American Culture & Arts Series: The Legacy of Toni Morrison
- 2019: Southern Adirondack Library System, Fresh Food Collective Farm-2-Library Distribution initiative
- 2018: Clinton Community Library, Optimistic Aging
- 2017: Rochester Public Library, Fines elimination pilot program
- 2016: Hendrick Hudson Free Library, for being the first library in Westchester County to be certified as a Green Business
- 2015: Red Hook Public Library, recognition of its innovative programs and increase in attendance and circulation
- 2014: No award given.
- 2013: Southworth Library Learning Commons (SUNY Canton), for transitioning to a learning commons model from a traditional academic library.
Runner-up: School Library Systems Association of New York State, Inc. (SLSA) with its consortium of school systems across NYS to create the SLS Consortium of Online Resources for Education (SCORE) - 2012: Greece Public Library, for expansion of programming space
- 2011: The New York Public Library (NYPL), for their project titled Homework NYC.
Runner-up: Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (BOCES) School Library System, for their regional school library system union catalog FiveSystems.org - 2010: Queens Library, Queens Library for Teens.
Runner-up: Milne Library/SUNY Geneseo, for “LILAC” (Library Instruction Leadership Academy) - 2009: New York City School Library System, Tween to Teen program.
Runner-up: Western New York Library Resources Council, for their project titled Ask Us 24/7 - 2008: Mid-Hudson Library System, Health Information Project.
Runner-up: Queens Library for HealthLink. - 2007: Galway Public Library, Story Quilt, a "one-of-a-kind literary, social history project"
- 2006: Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, "The Hudson River Valley Heritage (HRVH) Service," providing online access to historical materials from New York State's Hudson River Valley to researchers, students and the general public. Also, Albany Public Library, Bookmobile service, coordinated by the Library's Outreach Department, providing day-to-day programs and services so that "[e]very City of Albany resident shall have regular and equitable access to the information, educational, and recreational resources and programs of the Albany Public Library."
- 2005: Southern Adirondack Library System, "Statewide Performer Database," a unique project that supports statewide youth library service by compiling programming and performer information from all across New York; and Mid-York Library System, the "Regional Read" project promoted literacy and community involvement by encouraging people to read Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and to participate in programs related to the book.
- 2004: Rochester Regional Library Council, "CLIC-on-Health" project, an outstanding approach to providing the people of the greater Rochester area with high-quality healthcare information and resources; and Cortland Junior/Senior High School Library, "Parent-Child Book Club" project, an exceptional approach to promoting literacy by bringing together eighth graders and their parents for literary discussions and author presentations.
- 2002: Albany Public Library, "First Stop/The Next Step" project, a unique approach to addressing the needs of those in the community who are in the process of making the transition from incarceration to employment.
- 2001: Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls, Unique approach to addressing specific consumer health needs of patrons. Also, Four County Library System, Vestal, Exemplary approach to providing Internet resources to a rural community via a Cybermobile project.
- 2000: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and Lincoln High School Media Center
- 1999: Kendall Jr. High School Library and Mohawk Valley Library System
- 1998: Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Borough Public Library, and North Country Reference and Research Resources Council
- 1997:
- Port Washington Public Library
- Science, Industry & Business Library
- Potsdam Public Library
- Reading Room Association of Gouverneur
- Finger Lakes Library System & Project Partners
- University Libraries, SUNY at Buffalo University
- Southern Westchester BOCES School Library System
- Suffolk Cooperative Library System
- 1996:
- New York Academy of Medicine Library
- The New York Public Library – The Branch Libraries
- Lawville Free Library
- Mohawk Valley Library Association
- Nassau School Library System
- Fairport Library Council
- 1995:
- Brooklyn Public Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
- Mid-York Library System
- Honorable Mentions: Voorheesville Public Library and Woodward Memorial Library