Shining Star Awards 2024 - Ridgewood Library
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation 2024, Queens Public Library recognizes the contributions of its volunteers and staff. The Friends of QPL Shining Star Award is given to individual Friends members that demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities that inspire and motivate others to action; and groups that exemplify a collaborative spirit and strive to work together to provide ideas, resources, and opportunities that uplift their community.
This year, Queens Public Library recognizes the staff of the Ridgewood Library for their exemplary work in support of the Friends of Ridgewood chapter. During the season, staff members, led by Community Library Manager, Maryanne Olson have worked closely with the Friends to cultivate a variety of programming and activities for all ages. The staff continue to demonstrate the sprit of collaboration in their efforts to bring unique offerings to the community.
Meet the Ridgewood Library Staff...
Q: Give 2-3 examples of how the Friends of QPL have been an asset to your community or neighborhood this fiscal year?
A: The Friends of Ridgewood are actively involved in leadership throughout the community – some are on the community board, some work with local partners in the community. Wherever they go they promote library services and seek to build thoughtful connections with new and existing library partners. A few specific examples include tabling at Myrtle Ave BID street festivals, organizing a highly popular annual “Fun Day” at the library which brings in local vendors and fun programming for families, and a book giveaway and related “blind date with a banned book” display to honor ALA’s Banned Books Week and raise awareness on advocacy around preventing censorship and titles that have been challenged or banned around the country.
Q: What have been 1-2 of your proudest moments to date during your time working with the Friends of QPL?
A: I was very proud of the work they did with our General Librarian around a recent new program called “Reading Social”. A committee of Friends put together an hour long program that celebrated reading by inviting community members to read “socially” together. We had nearly 20 customers – mostly new adults who have not historically attended library programs – both reading and discussing the titles they read with each other in a lively space.
A: Family Fun Day! We had an amazing turnout for the program and the Friends were busy all day long conducting crafts, running carnival games with prizes, and taking charge of the lines for face painting. It was so busy, but the Friends were friendly and gracious throughout and a truly fun time was had by all!
A: I was very proud of the Halloween event I worked with the friends of October 2022. It felt like the library was still "coming back" from the pandemic at this point and seeing the community take such joy in attending a library program felt wonderful.
Q: Looking ahead, in what ways can the Friends (and the library) remain relevant and an asset to the community?
A: I think the Friends combined passion for the library and for reading and their active engagement in leadership roles throughout the community will continue to keep their work – particularly around programming, funding, and advocacy – an asset to the community and the library itself.
A: One of the ways we both remain relevant and an asset to the community is by continually trying to connect with new and emergent library users. The monthly Reading Social event that first took place on 3/14/24 is a perfect example of that. Lots of "new adults" and new library users joined in the fun! (see description of the event below. The next Reading Socials will be on 4/11 and 5/30 from 630-730pm).
A: I would love to accomplish more community involvement programs with the friends, maybe a garden cleanup and planting or a library spruce up!
Q: What would you like to still accomplish working with your Friend of QPL chapter?
A: I’d love to continue to build on the relationships and connections that the Friends are making to bring new audiences into the library. Two upcoming events I am excited about are our very first “Maker Market” coming up this May which will bring in local artists/vendors to sell their wares at the library and a “Community Day” in the fall which will celebrate local nonprofits and provide space for them to present their work to the library community.
A: I'd love to do even more engagement with literacy in action programs with the Friends (they do a lot of amazing book giveaways as well as the Reading Social and they funded a really nice Open Mic series with featured readers in the garden) – we would have to see what the community needs/wants are and what the Friends capacity is!
Q: In what ways has the library staff supported the efforts of your Friends of QPL group over the previous 12 months?
A: We strive to stay in good contact with the Friends group by meeting with them regularly to discuss concerns and ideas about programming. We assign a staff member to liaise on every new program to make sure that all of our staff – not just management – is getting to know the Friends and the work that they do. We also share our own programming ideas and local contacts whenever possible to expand the work that they are doing.
