Exemplary Work

Jolene Becker from Brocton Central School and Patricia Lundquist from Panama Central School were honored during a recent Communication Coordinator’s meeting at the LoGuidice Educational Center in Fredonia. The gathering was part of the School Library System program through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.

For most of her career, Becker has been the librarian in Brocton. She got her start in 2000 and, over the last 24 years, has ensured that students have had access to library programming, instruction, and services.

Becker has also helped guide new school librarians during their student teaching training.

Lundquist, the district’s Library Media Specialist, started as a parent volunteer at the Black River Elementary School library, part of the Carthage Central School District. While there, the school librarian encouraged her to pursue a career in the field.

Pictured is Brian Mayer, coordinator of School Library System and Media Services at E2CCB.

She completed her undergraduate degree in 1999 and briefly worked at James Prendergast Library in Jamestown as a librarian’s assistant while attending the University at Buffalo for her library degree.

Lundquist started her job at Panama Central School in 2004. For the past 20 years, she has helped implement programming such as Halloween Mysterious Tales for students and secured numerous grants.

Lundquist and Maureen Donahue, Southwestern Central School superintendent, were later presented with the first School Library Award during the Communication Coordinator’s meeting.

Brian Mayer, coordinator of School Library System and Media Services at E2CCB said the awards were created to recognize the “exemplary work” of a library staff member as well as a local administrator or school board of education member.

“The latter I felt was equally important to help reflect the critical role that administrators and the board play in the success of the school library program,” he said. “They provide leadership, support, and resources.”

Patricia Lundquist and Maureen Donahue, Southwestern Central School superintendent, were presented with the first School Library Award during the Communication Coordinator’s meeting.
Submitted photos

Lundquist was nominated by Emily Harvey, Director of Instruction and Special Education at Panama.

“Patti has dedicated her time over the years to facilitating and promoting student success through ongoing communication and collaboration with administration, teachers, support staff, and outside community libraries to build a tremendous UPK-12 Library Media program,” Harvey said in her nomination letter.

She further noted that Lundquist helped update the library media collections as well as the learning spaces “to keep up with the ever-changing and diverse needs of our students.

Harvey added, “She has repeatedly taken the initiative over the years to improve her practice and find unique ways to be inclusive of all students.”

Donahue was nominated for the School Library System Administrator Award by Shannon Wright, Cody Whitton, and Mary Zdrojewski, librarians at Southwestern.

“Mrs. Donahue is an amazing pillar of support for our library team,” the trio said in their nomination letter. “She has made it known she supports our program by dedicating staffing resources, funding and encouraging our growth as a department.”

The district’s three libraries have been kept fully staffed with a certified library media specialist and qualified support staff.

Donahue also encouraged using pandemic relief funding for the libraries. That resulted in purchases of a book vending machine, 3-D printer, podcast equipment, and Nintendo Switches, among other items for the libraries.

“Mrs. Donahue is a true friend of libraries,” the group said. “Throughout our time working with her, Mrs. Donahue has always supported, recognized, and encouraged our libraries and staff to grow and prosper. Mrs. Donahue is truly deserving of this recognition award.”

Four guest authors — Ariel Aberg-Riger, Terri Libenson, Rosanne Parry, and Matt Tavares — were also part of the Communication Coordinator’s meeting, the last to be held this school year.

“During that first year of COVID, I wanted to remind our member librarians of the joy and heart of the work they do, so I invited in authors to talk and share about the work they do,” Mayer said. “It was meant as a day of celebration and remembrance of the amazing work they do in support of their students and staff.”

For more information regarding the E2CCB School Library System, visit e2ccb.libguides.com/sls