The Arizona Library Association hosted an Awards Luncheon on November 15, 2007 at their Annual Conference in Mesa, AZ. REFORMA-Tucson was very proud to see two chapter members receive awards. Felicidades to Donie Gignac (Chapter Treasurer) and Gina Macaluso! We are very fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated librarians in our chapter.

Please see the information listed by the Pima County Public Library website:

* Rising Moon Outstanding Youth Services Librarian Award Winner *

Donie Gignac, a children’s librarian at the Valencia Branch Library, 202 W. Valencia Road, was awarded the Rising Moon Outstanding Youth Services Librarian Award. Gignac, a librarian for 27 years, was recognized for being a model Youth Services librarian.

She coordinates the daily children’s activities and services at Valencia, such as Storytimes, as well as several library system-wide events, including Story Town, Nuestras Raíces and El Día de los Niños / El Día de los Libros. In addition, she visits many of the schools, preschools, daycare and Headstart centers in Valencia’s service area to read to children and share a love of books.

“I really believe in encouraging children in their love of books and reading,” Gignac said. “It is so important to all that they will need to do in their lifetimes. I truly love what I do and do it for the kids.”

The Rising Moon Award is sponsored by Northland Publishing. The $400 award will be used to purchase bilingual and Spanish language children’s materials.

* Outreach Services Award Winner *

Gina Macaluso, Youth Services Coordinator, was awarded the Outreach Services Award for her work planning services for children, teens and families.For more than 21 years Macaluso has extended the library’s reach into the community through partnerships, collaborative efforts and joint projects to bring services to underserved and minority populations.

A few of the programs planned through her office include:

• Ready To Read - Where children’s librarians and outreach staff teach parents and caregivers about early brain development and stress the importance of exposing babies and young children to language, reading and books.
• Motheread / Fatheread - A family literacy program designed for incarcerated adults who want to improve both their reading and parenting skills.
• Project Lift (Literacy Involves Families Together) - Where children’s librarians educate teen parents about early brain development and stress the importance of exposing babies and young children to language, reading and books.
• Fit For Life - A library-based health and wellness program for teens and families.
• Learn, Read, Grow, Succeed - This campaign will focus on registering every first grader in Pima County for a library card.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors was also presented with an award for the Outstanding Decision Maker of the year.

Please consider nominating another REFORMA-Tucson chapter member next year for an AzLA Award.

Posted on November 20th, 2007 by Adriana
Filed under: Awards, AzLA