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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 9, 2015 09:48 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Brian Sims and Rep. Michael H. O'Brien |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-Sponsorship of Resolution – Honoring Siobhan Reardon for being named “Librarian of the Year” for 2015 |
| In the near future, we are planning to introduce a resolution honoring Ms. Siobhan Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP), for being named “Librarian of the Year” for 2015. She was given this award by the Library Journal (LJ), which has the highest circulation of any librarianship journal. This award is presented to a library professional who is transforming his or her library, community and the profession. Ms. Reardon was chosen for her vision and strategic plan, which turned a library system facing budget and staffing reductions into a relevant and thriving community center. In 2008, Ms. Reardon became the first woman to serve as the President and Director of FLP. Initially facing budget cuts due to the economic recession, she helped to steward the FLP through two and one-half years of difficult and challenging times of drastically reduced branch hours. In 2010, as funding began to grow, FLP launched a two-year process to formalize a new strategic plan for FLP’s 61 locations. Ms. Reardon’s ambitious five-year plan refocused the role of the library. This new plan identified five target populations: 1) job seekers; 2) entrepreneurs; 3) new Americans; 4) children under five; and 5) people with disabilities. The plan outlined a cluster model to streamline and enhance neighborhood library services, share resources and staff among neighborhood libraries, and collaborate with community leaders to develop programs and services most needed by residents. Ms. Reardon restructured the 800-member staff to achieve that goal and to improve efficiencies, internal communications, and patron experience. She also created critical new positions, such as a digital resource specialist. Ms. Reardon is passionate in seeking to advance literacy, guide learning and inspire curiosity. As a dynamic, capable leader known for her transformative ideas and creative, “out-of-the-box” thinking, Ms. Reardon is fully deserving of our recognition. Please join us in honoring Ms. Reardon for having earned this distinguished award. |
Introduced as HR186