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Ocean County Library Honored In Washington D.C.
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo Courtesy Of Peter C. Bacich, Ocean County Library First Lady Laura Bush, Ocean County Library Director Elaine McConnell, student Elias Vazquez and Dr. Anne Radice, IMLS director. |
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Your local library honored by the White House?
You bet.
Elaine McConnell, director of the Ocean County Library system, traveled to Washington D.C. last week to receive the 2007 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The award was presented to winners by First Lady Laura Bush at a reception held in the East Room at the White House on Monday morning.
The National Medal is presented to five museums and five libraries in the country that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
The Ocean County Library system was nominated for the medal by United States Senator Thad Cochran, RMiss., following its recent "Partners in Caring" project. That endeavor helped restore library services in Hancock County, Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
The Ocean County Library system raised over $120,000 to help the Hancock County Library reopen following major damage to its facilities there. McConnell also traveled to the devastated area with fellow librarians to visit the devastated library system and offer further reassurance of their support.
Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) Director Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice called the 10 institutions honored, "as varied as the visitors and residents they serve. They are models of public service."
"They make deep connections with their communities by sparking curiosity and inspiring a lifelong love of reading, history, art and science," she said.
The IMLS mission is, "to help create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas."
The Ocean County Library mission statement, "Connecting People, Building Community," helps to fulfill that allegiance, said McConnell on Thursday, back in her office at the Toms River Library branch on Washington Street.
McConnell said she was honored to be a part of the White House ceremony to receive the award, but quickly added that credit belongs to the library staff for their dedication and hard work.
"I was privileged to go and collect the award," McConnell said. "But the library's honor really belongs to its staff members and is a tribute to what they do each and every day."
McConnell described her White House visit as memorable and breathtaking. The library contingent arrived at the East Room about 7:30 a.m. Monday to take part in a small rehearsal before having breakfast in the State Dining Room.
"We had the chance to tour the Red Room, Blue Room and Green Room," said McConnell. "There were fresh cut flowers in every room. It was beautiful."
Following breakfast, each of the 10 winners posed for pictures with the First Lady and then headed back to the East Room for the ceremony. "I'm still pinching myself," McConnell said.
For the ceremony, each library honored brought with them a community representative whose life goals were changed through their involvement with the library system, McConnell explained.
Ocean County Library's community member is Elias Vasquez of Toms River, a 21-year-old Mexican student who said that he was encouraged by Lakewood librarians to finish school and get his diploma. Vasquez said the library turned his life around. He has received an IMLS scholarship and currently attends Thomas Edison State College, with a goal to become a librarian.
Vasquez's family also traveled to Washington to view the awards ceremony. "They were so proud," said McConnell.
At the ceremony, when Norma Blake, of the New Jersey State Library in Trenton, was presented with the New Jersey State Librarian of the Year award, McConnell said that Mrs. Bush joked, "There must be something in the air in New Jersey."
McConnell said that during her two-day stay in the nation's capital, she was also able to get in a little sightseeing and toured the historic first meeting room of the Supreme Court and the great Rotunda in the Capital Building.
Library staff members also visited Congressman Jim Saxton's office on Capitol Hill before making their way back to Union Station to catch their train.
"Union Station is so beautiful," remarked McConnell. "When you walk outside, you are right in the nation's capital. It is an outstandingly beautiful city."
McConnell said the library looks forward to Thursday, January 24, when all 21 branches of the Ocean County Library will have an open house, featuring pictures of the event and offering light refreshments for visitors.
"Everyone will have a chance to join in our celebration," McConnell said.
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