Waukesha Public Library is WLA's 2011 Library of the Year

The Wisconsin Library Association Awards and Honors Committee confers the 2011 Library of the Year award upon Waukesha Public Library. The award is conferred upon any type of Wisconsin library, library system or library network for distinguished achievement in service. The staff, library board or administering body, and the community or people served shall all be involved in the work for which recognition is sought. The award shall be based upon such activities or accomplishments as user oriented services, development and participation in networks and systems and cooperative planning with other libraries, collections, professional growth opportunities and employee job satisfaction, and changes or improvements in physical facilities resulting in better service.

Waukesha Public Library exceeds the five award criteria particularly in regard to strong community partnerships with organizations such as the School District of Waukesha, local businesses, UW-Waukesha, Carroll University, Waukesha County Technical College, Waukesha Civic Theater, the West End Artists Association, Waukesha County Project Head Start, Waukesha County Historical Society, and more.

Waukesha Public Library has been fortunate to complete a two-phase building project which has culminated in better service to patrons from children to seniors. Waukesha Public Library has shown a history of being proactive as demonstrated by its initiation of an integrated library system with two other Waukesha county libraries, fostering the system for nearly a decade, and then recently gifting it to the Waukesha County Library System for the entire county to utilize. Waukesha Public Library recognizes the importance of public art and has made itself a destination for many reasons including a space to experience visual art.

Waukesha Public Library is clearly appreciated within its own community, and we are happy to recognize its achievements as well.  From the facility to the staff to the programs and community partnerships, Waukesha Public Library has much of which to be proud and is a great example of a Library of the Year.

Congratulations!
--Rebecca Dougherty, Chair, WLA Awards & Honors Committee