91´«Ã½

Christine Payne recipient of the Carnegie Corporation of New York/

New York Times I Love My Librarian Award

NEW YORK — Today, Christine Payne, librarian at Appoquinimink High School library in Middletown, Del., will receive the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award for her outstanding public service to the community and ongoing commitment to changing lives through education. Payne is one of only 10 librarians within the United States recognized this year for this esteemed honor.

Payne provides an invaluable one-on-one approach to assisting students and their parents. Her roles vary from media specialist to tech support, from club advisor to personal mentor, from editor to inspiration.

The library is a safe haven for students and the heart of the school, hosting activities, including literature circles for students and their families, who camp out on the floor with blankets and pillows while sharing their thoughts about books.

The high school, which is new, was lacking in in many student activities. One of these was a Gay Straight Alliance. This need was met, with Payne as the program’s advisor. She also serves as a hotline to children who feel she is one of the only adults in the building whom you can trust and brings students and parents together through unique programs.

Payne will receive a $5,000 prize at an award ceremony and reception held this evening in New York City, hosted by The New York Times.

As part of the award process, library users nominate librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries. This year more than 1,000 library patrons submitted detailed stories regarding how their librarian had an impact on their communities and lives.

There are a total of 165,986 certified librarians in the United States and more than 200,000 dedicated library workers who connect people with the information access and critical resources they need to support lifelong learning.

A complete list of the 2014 I Love My Librarian Award recipients can be found at .

About Carnegie Corporation of New York

Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation's work focuses on the issues that Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of our democracy.

About The New York Times Company

(NYSE:NYT) is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The company includes The New York Times, International New York Times, NYTimes.com, INYT.com and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model. Follow news about the company at .

About the 91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 55,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the 91´«Ã½ is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

The 91´«Ã½ administered the award through the Campaign for America’s Libraries, 91´«Ã½’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians.

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Contact:

Heather Cho

Media Relations Specialist

91´«Ã½

312-280-4020

hcho@ala.org

Celeste Ford

Carnegie Corporation of New York

212-207-6277

cfc@carnegie.org