Russell Library News

The American Library Association selected Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, in Middletown, as the winner of the 2011 John Sessions Memorial Award for its "Business and Career Programs."  

In a quote from Jannie R. Cobb, Chair of the Awards Committee, "The committee was very impressed with your effort to reach to union and community members by providing programs and services of special to the labor community and connecting with local organizations to publicize (your) services to job seekers.  The committee felt that these were very necessary services given the current economic climate we now find ourselves in.  These programs serve as a valuable resource fr the labor community and job seekers alike."

Established in 1980, the John Sessions Memorial Award recognizes a library or library system which has made a significant effort to work with the labor community and by doing so has brought recognition to the history and contribution of the labor movement to the development of the United States. Such efforts may include outreach projects to local labor unions; establishment of, or significant expansion of, special labor collections; initiation of programs of special interest to the labor community; or other library activities that serve the labor community.

The award ceremony will take place during the American Library Association's 2011 Annual Conference taking place this June in New Orleans, LA.  For further information about Russell Library's job and career resources, call 860-347-2520 or go to www.russelllibrary.org.

For the record, the award is named in honor of John Sessions, former American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), co-chair of the AFL-CIO/ALA Joint Committee on Library Service to Labor Groups.