Library Accolades
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You have many reasons to be proud of your library and many reasons to have faith in your library's commitment to excellence. Here are just a few recent awards and endorsements from local and national organizations.
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery wins 2023 People's Choice Arty Award
“This year’s honorees really exemplify how the arts can be a source of richness in all aspects of life. They show us how we can center the arts in our conversations about history and the importance of cultural representation and understanding. They demonstrate how both arts and non-arts stakeholders can serve as critical advocates for ensuring that the arts – and artists – thrive in Topeka,” said Sarah Fizell, executive director of ArtsConnect. “It is important to shine a light of gratitude and recognition on artists in our community. They are the ones who will blaze our path forward. Their success is inextricably linked to our success as a community, and it is important to take a moment to stop and recognize what that means.”
Library wins 2023 En Point Award from Ballet Midwest
The library received an En Point Award from Ballet Midwest for years of support, which includes a special Musical Storytime with ballerinas from each year's Ballet Midwest Nutcraker performance.
Local history librarian wins 2023 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Award
Katie Keckeisen, local history librarian, won second place in the Editorial Commentary category in the Medium Market Radio Division for the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Annual Awards. The award was for her piece "Remembering Black Sunday: April 14, 1935." The awards will be given out at their annual conference in October.
LeAnn Brungardt named to Leadership Topeka Class of 2023
Youth Services Supervisor LeAnn Brungardt was selected to participate in Leadership Greater Topeka 2023. Brungardt supervises the Kids Library staff and outreach storytellers who visit area daycares and preschools.
A program of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greater Topeka identifies outstanding potential leaders from across the community and teaches them how to lead in a community setting. The goals are to challenge and motivate traditional and non-traditional leaders by teaching adaptive leadership competencies through information, dialogue and hands-on experience, so participants are better prepared to strengthen and transform our community. Class members attended a retreat and eight day-long sessions to learn about challenges facing the City of Topeka and Shawnee County, and how they can work to influence community issues and problems.
Library wins 2022 Silver Medals from Topeka Chapter of American Advertising Federation
The library won two Silver Medals for marketing videos. The award for Film, Video & Sound Branded Content & Entertainment for Online - More than 60 seconds was for the Beyond Boundaries video created in collaboration with Imagemakers. The award for Film, Video & Sound Internet Commercial Single Spot - Any Length was for the Family Storytime and Conversations video The Circle.
More accolades
Radio broadcast with library CEO wins 2022 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Award
The Kansas Public Radio Queen's Gambit on-air book club May 2021 won first-place in the Kansas Association of Broadcasters' Multi-Media/Digital category (medium market radio). Library CEO Marie Pyko was a moderator with KPR’s Kaye McIntyre, Kelly Barker and Logan Camarda.
Library named a 2022 YWCA Employer of Excellence
At the YWCA Northeast Kansas 34th Annual Women of Excellence the library was named an Employer of Excellence for supporting employee learning and staff development.
When you think about our library, you think about books, a beautiful building, technology and cultural events. Our biggest reward is when our customers tell us the library is a trusted resource and appreciate our commitment to customer service. Our staff works together to make your life better.
“We value excellence, curiosity, literacy, freedom, teamwork and accountability,” said library CEO Marie Pyko. “Library staff are readers, learners, educators, movie watchers, music fans and musicians, artists and art appreciators. Our staff are conductors of fun who create experiences of playful, sneaky learning and meet our community’s diverse needs for all ages and interests."
The library has an impact goal that our staff will be continuous learners who are dynamic, energized and take on leadership roles in the community. We support staff in their pursuit of life-long learning through Library Foundation and Friends of the Library scholarships for completing or continuing their education, and family-friendly policies that maintain a balance between our employee’s personal and professional responsibilities.
Sherry Hess named a 2022 YWCA Woman of Excellence
This is the 34th year the YWCA Northeast Kansas is uplifting and celebrating the outstanding contributions of women leaders in our community who get up and do the work. The library's Early Childhood Learning Coordinator Sherry Hess is one of the women recognized this year. She is focused on engaging young children and their families in play-based early learning experiences. The Learn & Play Bus and its service are at the heart of her work. Hess has a background in early childhood education.
"I’m inspired by the library goal to have every child ready for kindergarten and by the parents, caregivers and kids I work with on the Learn & Play Bus and at the library," said Hess. "I am also inspired by my co-workers and colleagues in the community. Their work on behalf of young children and their parents and caregivers is phenomenal. We excel when we surround ourselves with others who have a similar commitment, talent and passion. I am so fortunate to work with incredibly talented and amazing people."
Autumn Friedli named to Leadership Topeka Class of 2022
Public Services Supervisor Autumn Friedli was selected to participate in Leadership Greater Topeka 2022. Friedli supervises the readers team, which includes the senior services and other staff who primarily focus on reading.
A program of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greater Topeka identifies outstanding potential leaders from across the community and teaches them how to lead in a community setting. The goals are to challenge and motivate traditional and non-traditional leaders by teaching adaptive leadership competencies through information, dialogue and hands-on experience, so participants are better prepared to strengthen and transform our community. Class members attended a retreat and eight day-long sessions to learn about challenges facing the City of Topeka and Shawnee County, and how they can work to influence community issues and problems.
Angie Reed & Debbie Stanton Receive 2022 Crawford Scholarship
Angie Reed and Debbie Stanton were awarded the 2022 Dick and Donna Crawford Scholarship by The Library Foundation. The Dick and Donna Crawford Scholarship was created to provide financial resources for continuing education opportunities for library employees. This includes but is not limited to educational courses, trainings and certification courses.
Reed is currently a Teen Services Librarian seeking her MLS from Texas Woman’s University. Angie said seeking a degree from a school outside of our region will allow her to bring new ideas to the library as she collaborates with peers outside our area.
Stanton is currently pursuing a Museum Studies Certificate from the Institute of American Indian Arts. The program focuses on the cultural aspects of museum studies such as evaluating indigenous concerns through the lens of cultural heritage institutions. She looks forward to bringing her experiences and learning immediately back to our library.