WCC Librarian Molly E.K. Ledermann recently received the national I Love My Librarian award sponsored by The Carnegie Corporation of New York, The New York Times and The American Library Association.
Ledermann was among ten recipients for the coveted award, which honors librarians from across the country who demonstrate the value of the profession by transforming lives through education.
Ledermann recently located to Southeast Michigan after working for the Missoula Public Library in Montana – where she was employed during the award nomination process. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in comparative literature/German literature from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Library and Information Studies.
“The Bailey Library is proud to have a librarian of Molly’s caliber on board and working with our faculty, staff, students and community members, said Victor Liu, dean of learning resources. “Her perspectives align with ours in understanding the importance of how libraries serve as an instructional environment where both teaching and learning occur. When this type of partnership occurs, an environment is created where the library becomes an extension of the classroom, an approach that benefits everyone who walks through our doors.”
According to the nomination form, examples of Ledermann’s creative approaches in her role as a librarian included bringing books to the community at the local farmer’s market, creating a book group for the Missoula Public Library and developing a collection of books that were circulated to established book clubs throughout Montana and into Idaho.
Not one to shy away from technology and the role it plays in how information is now gathered and interpreted, Ledermann also installed an online chat feature on the Missoula Library’s website, improved the access to the library on mobile devices and developed online events calendars with the ability to register online for classes and events.
“Librarians play an ever-increasing role in helping patrons navigate the expansive amount of information found in today’s world due to the global connection of the Internet,” said Ledermann. “Librarians help facilitate the navigation needed to streamline a search for information. For some, libraries associated with a college or university can be intimidating,” Ledermann continued. “Here at WCC, we adhere to a mission of creating an environment that is warm, inviting and easy to navigate. If a patron needs help that’s where a librarian steps in with expertise to target the search and steer it in the right direction.”