SpaceWatchtower: Pittsburgh-Area Librarian Receives National Award

Friday, February 15, 2013

Pittsburgh-Area Librarian Receives National Award

Mount Lebanon Library Director Cynthia K. Richey in the Childen's Room
of the Mount Lebanon Public Library (Photo Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

The American Library Association (ALA) has announced that Pittsburgh-area librarian Cynthia K. Richey, long-time Director of the Mount Lebanon Public Library, has been named the 2013 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). The award is granted annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to library service to children.

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children.

Ms. Richey began her career as a children's librarian in 1971 and continued until she was named Mount Lebanon Library Director 17 years ago. She was President of the Pennsylvania Library Association in 1994 and served several years on the Board of Directors of the Allegheny County Library Association. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Pennsylvania PTA.

She is also Chair of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development. She won The New York Times Librarian Award in 2006.

She served several years on the ALA Council and was President of the ALSC 2003-2004. Four years ago, she was appointed Chair of the 2011 Newbery Award Committee. Awarded annually by the American Library Association, the Newbury Award is given to the "most distinguished American children's book published the previous year," according to the ALA.

Ms. Richey's bachelor's degree is in English literature, and she holds a Masters in Library Science degree, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Before starting to work as a children's librarian at Mount Lebanon in 1983, she held similar positions at the Pleasant Hills Library and at the-then newly-opened Squirrel Hill Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. In 1986, she was promoted to the Head of Children's Services at the Mount Lebanon Public Library.

Last year, Friends of the Zeiss and the Mount Lebanon Public Library co-sponsored a safe public viewing, through telescopes, of the very rare Transit of the Planet Venus across the image of the Sun. Although clouds prevented the public from viewing the June 5 early evening event with the telescopes, the public was still able to watch the event via a live web-cast in a library meeting room.

Friends of the Zeiss is a ten-year-old, non-profit organization with the mission to promote the history and preservation of the historic equipment, artifacts, and building of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, including the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector (prior to 2002 dismantling, the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world !) and the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope. More information: < http://www.planetarium.cc > or 412-561-7876.

ALA Announcement News Release: "Cynthia K. Richey named 2013 ALSC Distinguished Service Award recipient":

Link >>> http://www.ala.org/news/pr?id=12410

Niederberger, Mary."Mt. Lebanon Public Library director chosen to chair the Newbury Medal committee." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 May 20.:

Link >>> http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/books/mt-lebanon-public-library-director-chosen-to-chair-the-newbery-medal-committee-342561/