91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — The Cumberland County Library System Foundation is the 2020 recipient of the 91´«Ã½ H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant. The annual award, $3,500 and a gold-framed citation sponsored by H.W. Wilson Company, is given to a library organization that demonstrates the greatest merit for a program of staff development designed to further the goals and objectives of the library organization.

The Cumberland County Library System Foundation serves Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, one of the fastest growing areas in the state. In 2019, the libraries served 110,351 active library card holders (more than 45 percent of Cumberland County’s 250,000 residents). They will be using the award from the grant to provide a full day of professional development training to their staff, as well as inviting the staff from nearby rural Perry County and neighboring Dauphin County, all part of the Capital Area Library District. The day of training will be focused on developing the skills, strategies and techniques of staff, especially “frontline” staff, at these libraries to provide a safer library space for both staff and patrons.

The jury noted that the Cumberland County Library System values the professional development of their staff, pointing out that all library locations will close to allow all staff to attend the professional development day of training. In particular, they were impressed with the generosity of the foundation by inviting nearby rural Perry County to the training. With the proposed professional development opportunity, the library system will be able to better meet its goal of “treating community residents and visitors courteously and fairly through the development and consistent application of library services, policies, and procedures.”

The Cumberland County Library System Foundation’s award will be presented at the Award Ceremony and Reception during the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021.

More information about the , including how to submit a nomination is available on the 91´«Ã½ website.