New York, NY, May 27, 2003 -- In a city with a jobless rate higher than the national average, a free service designed to help job-seekers would be considered invaluable. In New York City, the New York Public Library's Job Information Center has long been considered an extraordinary resource. In recogning this, Alexandra Sax, and the Library's Job Information Center staff, have been chosen to receive the Library's Maher Stern Award for Service Excellence. The Job Information Center provides extensive resources for job seekers, serving more than 180,000 patrons a year. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 3, at 9:00 a.m. at the Mid-Manhattan Library located at 455 Fifth Avenue, on 40th Street. In attendance were Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library; Mary K. Conwell, Director of The Branch Libraries; Allison Maher Stern, Founder of the award; and Library staff.

On any given day, the Job Information Center, located on the fourth floor of the Mid-Manhattan Library, is bristling with job seekers taking advantage of all the Center and its staff have to offer. Alexandra Sax, Supervising Librarian of the Job Information Center for seven years, has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to patrons looking for employment.  With the rise of unemployment after the September 11 tragedy, the Center has been deluged by patrons seeking help. Staff efforts include career counseling for hundreds of patrons, conducting Internet job-hunting classes, and creating career research materials.
 
Allison Maher Stern, the award's benefactor, along with her husband Leonard Stern, presented the $1,000 prize to Ms. Sax. "It is a privilege to be able to honor Alexandra Sax and her staff for providing such excellent service to the community, especially in this time of urgent need," said Mrs. Stern.

The Center has proved to be an important tool for community outreach in that it provides information to job-seekers on all aspects of career development. The Job Information Center offers up-to-date information for anyone interested in looking for a job, researching careers, resume writing, job-search strategies, and self-exploration. Visitors can find a wide range of job listings; information on civil service postings, educational opportunities, and job skills training programs; management training programs; national and international directories of potential employers; and study handbooks for civil service and professional certification and licensing exams.

"Alexandra Sax and her staff deserve this recognition," said Mary K. Conwell. "In these most difficult of times they have gone well beyond the call of duty in their dedication to serving the community."

"It is a great honor to receive the Maher Stern Award," Ms. Sax said.  "In accepting the award on behalf of the Job Information Center, I recognize those in the community who value the extensive work done by the staff. This gift will enable us to enhance our collections and, in turn, continue to give hope to many job-seekers in the greater New York area."
 

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Contact: Debbie Bujosa at 212-704-8600.

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