The 2009 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in library public relations. The John Cotton Dana honor has been awarded continuously since 1946 and is sponsored by the H.W. Wilson Company, the H.W. Wilson Foundation, and the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). It is considered to be the most prestigious of all library awards in the field of public relations. HPL was recognized for “A New Chapter,” our public relations campaign for the grand reopening of the newly renovated Central Library.
The 2009 Texas Library Association Wayne Williams Library Project of the Year Award, which recognizes a project that exemplifies the highest levels of achievement, professional standards, and inspiration to other libraries. HPL was recognized for its efforts to provide emergency care for the children of City of Houston employees immediately following Hurricane Ike. With the city in need of clean up and essential services in the aftermath of the storm, many city employees were required to return to work without the ability to send their children to school or daycare. After discussions with Mayor Bill White and Houston City Council Member Sue Lovell, HPL staff created a program that provided services and activities to 500 children, allowing their parents to focus on the repair and recovery needs of the city.
The 2009 Technology Solutions Award from the Public Technology Institute, a national, not-for-profit organization that works to identify best practices in the use of technology that impact local governments. HPL won for the deployment of our Moblile Express, a “computer lab on wheels” to provide computer and internet access to communities affected by Hurricane Ike. Every day we helped people without power file online FEMA claims, prepare Blue Roof applications, or just have a cool, safe place to take their children. Our Mobile Express visited over 20 locations throughout the city, day and night, providing computer access to approximately 1,300 people. HPL won in the Telecom and IT Division, for cities with a population of 750,000 or more.
The 2009 Houston Press “Best of Houston” Award for Best Public Library Branch – The Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library.
The 2009 Houston Press “Best of Houston” Award for Best Local Reading Series – An Evening With…