From shelving books to helping children and adults learn to read, Tulsa City-County Library volunteers are the binding that holds the library story together.
Volunteers will be honored for years and hours of service during the 43rd annual Volunteer Recognition, April 23 at 2 p.m. in Central Library’s Pocahontas Greadington Learning and Creativity Center, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue.
A Parade of PAWS features service dogs who will receive an extra-large treat for their efforts to help children improve literacy skills through the “PAWS for Reading” program.
Included in the ceremony is the presentation of the Marcus R. Tower Service Award from the Bank of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Library Trust. The award consists of a crystal trophy and $1,500 to designate to a library service or program of the recipient’s choice. The memorial recognizes and shows appreciation to Tulsa County individuals who have made a notable contribution to enhance the quality of library service.
This year’s winner of the Marcus R. Tower Service Award is Ruth Nelson. For more than 30 years Nelson has dedicated time and resources to helping improve literacy for all ages in Tulsa County. As a member of the Tulsa Library Trust, she has been instrumental in fundraising efforts to build new libraries across Tulsa County as well as recently providing funding to purchase a new bookmobile.
Also honored during the event are the many volunteers who help keep the shelves straightened and the pages turning. Receiving awards for their years of volunteer service are:
Years of Service
5 Years
Lollie Burr, Cindy Cunningham, Eldon Eisenach, Sally Harris, Diane Hartung, Kathy Horne, Mary Kent, Judi Mathes, Marilyn Meakins, Diane Pennington, Courtney Spohn and Nancy Wilcox
10 Years
Lin Arnett, Jeanne Burkholder, Nancy Crandall, Harley Jones, Susan Lewis and Sue Platt
15 Years
Ros Elder, Shirley Gidley and Lu Patton
20 Years
Dee McBride
Hours of Service
250+ Hours of Service
Lin Arnett, Kathryn Bolton, Shirley Brandon, Lollie Burr, Elaine Garcia, Donna Goodman, Michele Johnson, Sally Loveland, Lida McClain, Ruth Mondragon, Elaine Olzawski, Jan Reese and Marie Vavra
500+ Hours of Service
Peggy Tinsley, Ginny Young, Mary Olzawski, Catherine Gatchell and Farryl Stokes
750+ Hours of Service
Ros Elder, Audrey Engles, Rita Funk, Dana Grogan, John Hemphill, Linda Logan, Nancy Noel and Marian Sexton
1,000+ Hours of Service
Patrick Hambrick
1,500+ Hours of Service
Nancy Crandall and Marsha Hughes
2,000+ Hours of Service
Jonathon Oyler
3,500+ Hours of Service
Chris Brooks and Alice Costas
12,000+ Hours of Service
Dee McBride
For more information on Tulsa City-County Library’s volunteer opportunities call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org/friends.
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