The John Cotton Dana Awards were presented during an awards ceremony hosted by EBSCO Information Services, during this year’s American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago. Pioneer Library Systems was announced as this year’s winner.
The JCD award is named after John Cotton Dana (1859– 1929), the father of the modern library, who is credited with helping transition libraries from reading rooms to community centers.
JCD submissions include strategic library communications campaigns from libraries of all types and sizes throughout North America. In recognition of their achievement, up to eight JCD award winners receive a $10,000 cash development award from the H.W. Wilson Foundation.
Kelly Sitzman, director of Marketing & Communications for Pioneer Library System, said, “Our outstanding marketing team turned efforts outward to leverage community partnerships, diversify local media partners, and strategically marketed to both existing and future library customers.”
The primary objective for Pioneer Library System’s Summer Learning Challenge is always to prevent summer learning loss and engage community members of all ages through reading and learning. Sitzman continues, “Our overhauled marketing strategies led to a record-breaking summer, far exceeding registrations and completions dating back even before the pandemic.
Reach increased by more than 25%, registrations increased by nearly 50%, learning goal completions increased by 65%. Our new branding, messaging, and marketing approach drew customers to the library, inspired, and made an impact on all ages.”
It has been a very good year for Pioneer Library System. It was just this March that PLS took home another top award, 2023 Library of the Year. PLS Executive Director Lisa Wells accepted the award from presenter Tim Miller, executive director of Western Plains Library System and current Oklahoma Library Association president.
Founded in 1958, PLS today offers 12 full-access libraries in 10 communities including Newcastle, which are located throughout Cleveland, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties, as well as additional access locations in smaller communities and outreach services including Business Services and the PLS Mobile Maker Lab.
For more information about PLS and its services, visit the new pioneerlibrarysystem.
A ribbon cutting by the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce was held at Capozi’s Sandwich shop, 816 N. Main Street in Newcastle. Owners Jenny and Angelo Capozi are pictured (on right) with scissors. The shop, which is also a deli, specializes in cold, hot and grilled New York-styled sandwiches.
