The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) named Plano Public Library (PPL) the recipient of the 2024 ABOS Senior Services Award.
The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services is a professional organization for library outreach staff, which gives awards in several categories at the organization’s annual conference. The Senior Services Award is given annually to a library, department or an individual who has provided exemplary library outreach services to seniors in their community. To be nominated, the nominee has to submit a description of how they have provided exemplary library outreach services to seniors in their community as well as two letters of recommendation.
PPL’s senior services include the Senior Lobby Stop service, which was created in 2023 to reach older residents who experience transportation or mobility challenges as well as Memory Keepers, a conversational program designed to engage people experiencing early-stage dementia and their care partners; Connecting Seniors, which aims to create community and spark conversation among older adults; and Medicare 101, which helps older adults understand Medicare, healthcare costs, and other relevant government-facilitated programs.
“PPL staff are a key component of success and their commitment to outreach for older adults reflects the core service mission. PPL gladly shares knowledge and experiences with our peers across Texas and the United States through professional publications, conference presentations, webinars and participation in professional organizations,” PPL said in a news release. “When possible, PPL partners with other library systems to communicate diversity of approach, experience, and perspective. PPL staff have shared insights and ideas through state and national conferences and with prospective local partners. Ultimately, PPL’s outreach initiatives for older adults are about showing respect and reinforcing the inherent value of each member of our community.”\
PPL joins fellow recipients Lori Berezovsky of Salina Public Library (John Philip Award), Sandra Hartman of San Jose State University (Bernard Vavrek Scholarship), Cora Schaeff of Bay County Library System (Book Bike Award), Rachel McDowell of Waynesboro Public Library (Rising Star Award), Tim Ruth of High Plains Library District (Youth Services Award), Tamra Bagley of Suffolk Public Libary (Pattie Johnson Outreach Award), Lynde McCaleb of High Plains Library District (Karen Hake Outstanding Bookmobile Librarian Award) and six individuals for the Carol Hole Conference Travel Grant.
“We received a record number of applications this year, and we were impressed by the level of creativity, innovation and dedication shown by all of the nominees,” the ABOS website said.
The award was presented in Indianapolis last month during the 2024 ABOS Annual Conference.
