New Dorp Branch Librarian Theresa Myrhol Receives 2006 Maher Stern Award for Excellence in Community Service

2006 Maher Stern Award Ceremony Held on June 28 at 1:30 p.m.

Theresa Myrhol, Supervising Librarian of the New Dorp Branch, has been selected to receive the 2006 Maher Stern Award for Service Excellence. Ms. Myrhol's exceptional dedication to public service, as well as that of the entire staff at the New Dorp Branch Library, has merited the distinguished recognition, which annually honors a librarian. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 28, at 1:30 p.m., at the New Dorp Branch Library, located at 309 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island. Allison Maher Stern, philanthropist and founder of the award, will present the prize.

"Theresa Myrhol's enthusiastic guidance and the gifted staff have made New Dorp Branch Library a place treasured by the Staten Island community," said Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library. "We are grateful to Allison Maher Stern and her husband Leonard for significantly supporting library staff over the years by generously providing the Library with this opportunity to honor an exemplary librarian."

Promoted to librarian in 2001, Ms. Myrhol endeavors daily to make the branch library a driving force in the neighborhood, providing services and tools tailored to patrons' needs, and participating in initiatives to strengthen the community. Under Ms. Myrhol's leadership, the New Dorp Branch Library staff have hosted ESOL classes, reached out to schools, and attended community board and local civic association meetings, as well as participated on The Staten Island Council for the Aging. The New Dorp Branch Library also successfully participated in the pilot program of the Wallace Foundation's grant-funded LEAP, which is an extracurricular education program for children and young adults exploring diverse topics such as world culture and environmental issues. The program, in its second year, has reported maximum attendance.

"It is evident that The New Dorp Library staff go beyond the call of duty to ensure they are doing everything they can to serve their community," said Susan Kent, Director and Chief Executive of The Branch Libraries, who will preside at the ceremony. "Children and adults of all ages depend on and are drawn to this library as a center for learning and exploration and also look to its dedicated staff for guidance. Their work is a tremendous asset to the community and The New York Public Library."

Allison Maher Stern established the Award for Service Excellence with her husband, Leonard Stern, in 1993. The award encourages high standards in branch library service by honoring a librarian and his or her staff for excellence. The award includes a certificate inscribed with the name of the honored librarian and the branch library and a $1,000 award for the support of the branch's operations.

"Theresa Myrhol and her outstanding team strive daily to provide their neighborhood not only with the information and tools they need to succeed, but also bring expertise, commitment, and a passion for learning to their jobs," said Mrs. Stern. "We are thrilled to honor their hard work."

About the New Dorp Branch Library
New Dorp is one of the busiest branches on Staten Island. The New Dorp Community Library was established by local residents in 1907. By 1909 it was receiving books from The New York Public Library's Traveling Library (the Bookmobile), and in 1926 New Dorp became a branch of The New York Public Library. In 2000, an extensive renovation was completed, including a redesigned exterior and remodeled interior. An expanded children's room, community room, new air conditioning, furniture and shelving, and eleven computers with new telecommunications equipment were added. Its large collections contain books in Spanish, Chinese, Hebrew, and Russian. The children's room contains "story steps" for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as materials on children's literature, authors, and illustrators.

###

Contact:      Jennifer Lam   212.704.8600

jl:06.27.06:nypl043