You can call Tulsa City-County Library volunteers the binding that holds the library story together.
This dedicated group of nearly 1,000 book lovers was honored at the 42nd annual Hearts and Flowers Volunteer Recognition Awards held at Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road. Combined, volunteers donated nearly 40,000 hours in 2015-16.
Included in the ceremony was 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 Robert J. LaFortune, a member of the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries since the 1970s.
As Tulsa Commissioner of Streets and Public Property from 1964 to 1970, Mr. LaFortune played a role in developing the Port of Catoosa, our freeway system, and the funding to build the Performing Arts Center. He was there when the new Central Library opened in 1965. As mayor of Tulsa from 1970 to 1978, he served on the Tulsa City-County Library Commission. In 1982, Mr. LaFortune joined the Tulsa Library Trust Board, serving as President from 1985 to 1986.
Mr. LaFortune has supported our community with his service on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards. He was a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America and recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award in 1982. Other awards include the National Conference of Community and Justice Brotherhood Award, induction into the Engineering Hall of Fame at the University of Tulsa, the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 1995 the University of Tulsa granted him an honorary doctor of law degree.
Mr. LaFortune has always served as an advisor and supporter of the library, including for the library bond elections of 1978, 1988 and 1998. Currently he is again a member of the Tulsa Library Trust Board, and serving as the chairman for the Tulsa Central Library Renewed capital campaign. With his leadership, the campaign has raised over $31 million in private donations to transform the Tulsa Central Library into a state-of-the-art, learner-driven, technology-centered facility for the 21st century.
LaFortune received praise from members of the Tulsa Library Trust.
- “Who can say no to Bob LaFortune?” Ruth Nelson, Tulsa Library Trust board member
- “I was deeply moved and honored to present the Marcus R. Tower Service Award to Mayor LaFortune. Robert La Fortune has set the highest standards for his fellow trustees on the Trust Board and his leadership throughout the capital campaign for the Central Library has been phenomenal.” Rik Helmerich, Tulsa Library Trust chairman
Also honored during the evening are the many volunteers who help keep the shelves straightened and the pages turning. Receiving awards for their years of volunteer service were:
Years of Service
5 Years
Wilhelmina Anyanwu, Gwendolyn Bain, Barbara Doolittle, Kim Dorrough, Patrick Hambrick, Kat LeFevre, Donald Lomangino, Rebecca Moffitt, Mike Monroe, Leon Mullis, Jonathon Oyler, Steve Scott, Peggy Tinsley, Laura Wilson, Ginny Young and Mary Lou Young
10 Years
Todd Dallenbach, Donna Farrior, Carol Hoffman, Beth Sharp and Amy Stephens
15 Years
Rita Funk, Wayne Hardy, Ruth Mondragon, Richard Parker, Melissa Smith and Marlene Spicer
20 Years
Chris Brooks, Mary Beth Soard and Memory Stunz
30 Years
Marty Laughlin
Hours of Service
250+ Hours of Service
Janice Blankenship, Amy Cooper, Carolyn Handel, Carol Hines, Ronald Hunt, Janice King, Donald Lomangino, Sandy Majors, David Malcolm, Lois Mason, Rebecca Moffitt, Judi Prevatt, Michael Ransom, Elaine Shirley and Juddie Williams-Tomshany
500+ Hours of Service
Dana Grogan, Diane Hartung, Steve Haas, Ruth Holladay, Kathy Horne, Linda Logan, Judi Mathes, Marilyn Meakins, Robert Parker, Sally Riley, Memory Stunz and Marlene VanHorn
750+ Hours of Service
Susan Lewis, Patrick Hambrick, Judi Carlson and Denise Herd
1,000+ Hours of Service
Annie Elder, Sally Harris, Althea Klein, Barbara Lowell, Sue Platt and Angela Smith
1,500+ Hours of Service
Gwen Hampton, Helen Leise, Pat Jordan and Jonathon Oyler
2,500+ Hours of Service
Pat Alexander and Lynn Yasser
3,000+ Hours of Service
Sharon Maust
11,500+ Hours of Service
Dee McBride
13,000+ Hours of Service
Marty Laughlin
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.