Columbus Metropolitan Library Named Library of the Year

FARMINGTON Hills, Mich., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Library Journal and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, today announced Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), in Columbus, Ohio, has been named 2010 Library of the Year.  

Each year this prestigious recognition goes to the public library in the United States that most profoundly demonstrates service to community, creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs, and leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by others. In addition to a cash award of $10,000, Columbus Metropolitan Library will be featured as the cover story for the June 15, 2010, issue of Library Journal.

According to Library Journal's Editor-at-Large John N. Berry III, "The culture of CML has become one of perpetual strategic planning, adaptability, constant investment in efficiency and attention to chosen priorities.  It has imbued the staff with an unusual receptivity to change, and they get and engineer lots of it and rework the plan at regular intervals."

"Gale is proud to support libraries through the Library of the Year Award and to recognize Columbus Metropolitan Library as this year's recipient," said Patrick C. Sommers, president of Gale.  "The innovative work being done in Columbus, in particular through community outreach efforts such as the Ready to Read Corp, Job Help Centers and Homework Help Centers, is to be emulated.  We applaud the Columbus Metropolitan Library for its commitment to explore new and exciting ways to support its community."

"This is one of the highest honors a public library can receive," said Patrick Losinski, Columbus Metropolitan Library's executive director. "We strive to provide the most valuable and relevant services for our customers, and they truly support us and the work that we do. We are so grateful that the central Ohio community has helped propel us to this level of excellence.

"This award celebrates our unique and successful programs, as well as the exceptional service our staff provides every day," Losinski continued. "We want to ensure that we serve as a solution to the challenges our society is facing as a whole. This award acknowledges that we are really making a difference."

Special mentions for Library of the Year were also given to Anythink-Rangeview Library District, Northglenn, CO; Jefferson County Public Library, Lakewood, CO and King County Library System, Issaquah, WA in recognition of their service philosophy and dedication to community.

The 2010 Library of the Year Award will be presented formally at a gala reception at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2010.

About Cengage Learning and Gale

Cengage Learning is a leading provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats.  For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.com

About Library Journal

Library Journal is the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field. Considered to be the "bible" of the library world, Library Journal is read by over 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries. It is the single-most comprehensive publication for librarians, with groundbreaking features and analytical news reports covering technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. Its hefty review sections evaluate nearly 7000 books annually, along with hundreds of audiobooks, videos, databases, web sites, and systems that libraries buy. For more information, visit www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Junior Library Guild.

About Columbus Metropolitan Library

Columbus Metropolitan Library has been named Library of the Year for 2010. It was also ranked the #1 library in the country by Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index for 2008 and also received 5 Star ratings in 2009 and 2010. Main Library and its 20 branches are dedicated to guiding customers in their pursuit of information, knowledge and wisdom. Over 8 million customers pass through our doors every year, and 10 million "virtual users" log on to our Columbuslibrary.org, kids.columbuslibrary.org and teens.columbuslibrary.org websites. 

SOURCE Cengage Learning