LANSING, Mich. – Kinross Correctional Facility Library is the recipient of the 2024 State Librarian’s Excellence Award for superior customer service, the Library of Michigan announced Tuesday.
“Michigan libraries of all types do amazing work every day” said State Librarian Mr. Randy Riley. “Singling out the successes of just a few for the State Librarian’s Excellence Award program is extremely difficult.”
Riley will officially present the annual award, which includes $3,000 in privately donated funds, Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Michigan Library Association Awards event during the annual conference in Traverse City.
“It is important for everyone to have access to knowledge and to libraries,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “The Michigan Department of Education and Library of Michigan are pleased to recognize outstanding libraries such as the one at Kinross.”
The winning library is at the Michigan Department of Corrections facility in Chippewa County. The prison houses 1,280 inmates.
“Libraries can serve as the center of communities, not only curating collections for educational and recreational reading, but by meeting needs, providing information, and supporting programs and activities,” said Ms. Suvi Manner, Kinross Correctional Facility librarian.
“The Kinross Correctional Facility library offers personal enrichment activities that are interconnected with daily library services,” she said. “These activities foster a positive attitude and a social environment that encourages library usage and promotes reading, writing, and literacy.”
Michigan Department of Corrections Director Ms. Heidi Washington shared the importance of libraries in correctional facilities.
“Access to quality library services is fundamental for those looking to improve their lives after they are released from our custody,” she said. “We are very proud of the library for being recognized for their superior customer service, and for providing the information and programing needed to help people succeed.”
The selection committee, comprised of representatives from public, school, academic, and special libraries, was impressed with the unique strategies and partnerships taken on by Kinross to better serve the inmate population. State Librarian’s Excellence Award evaluation factors include demonstrating that the library provides superior service to its customers and community through library programs and staff interactions with customers and the service community.
The selection committee focused on Kinross’s creativity in offering inventive services in the structured prison environment while working with the University of Michigan’s Prison Arts Project.
The Library of Michigan Foundation and Library of Michigan bestow the State Librarian’s Excellence Award and Citations of Excellence Award yearly to highlight the importance of Michigan libraries’ services.
This year’s Citations of Excellence co-winners, for their exceptional customer service, are Richland Community Library and West Bloomfield Township Public Library. Each of those libraries will receive $1,000 with this honor.
The State Librarian’s Excellence Award is sponsored in honor of June Mendel through the Library of Michigan Foundation. The Citation of Excellence Awards are funded by the Library of Michigan Foundation.
The State Librarian’s Excellence Award program is in its 23rd year. For more information about the award and previous recipients, please go to www.michigan.gov/MiStateLibrarian.
