NYT Librarian of the Year 2006 Cynthia K. Richey

Director

Mount Lebanon Public Library, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cynthia was nominated by Benjamin Hodes, who quoted a note sent to Cynthia by one of the library’s patrons: “It seems to me that we have one of the best libraries anywhere, and we have YOU to thank for that.” Cynthia has the gift of making every member of the community – especially those who might easily be overlooked – feel that the library has something special just for them.  She has, for instance, focused on services, collections and programs of special value to persons with disabilities, helped in providing access to legal and other services, including volunteer and employment opportunities.  She has reached out to residents 65 or older … to teenagers – increasing circulation of teen materials by 24% … to the homebound … and to recent immigrants needing support in English-as-a-second language. So many lives have been enriched, thanks to Cynthia Richey.