Board Chairman Dr. Noble Cooper, Jr., and Executive Director C. David Warren announced at noon today that Library Journal and The Gale Group have named Columbia's Richland County Public Library Library of the Year 2001. The highest honor a library can achieve, this award has been presented annually since 1992, making Richland County the tenth among these sterling libraries. Mr. Warren will accept the award on June 18 at a ceremony and gala in the San Francisco Performing Arts Center during the annual conference of the American Library Association. Each year The Gale Group, one of the foremost vendors of information databases and reference materials, and Library Journal, the leading independent professional magazine published twice a month, join to recognize and reward the library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding community service. In addition to the forthcoming announcement at the gala celebration, Richland County Public Library will receive a $10,000 cash award and will be the cover story in the June 15, 2001 issue of Library Journal. Editorial board members of Library Journal, the president of The Gale Group's Library Education Division, and librarians from throughout the United States selected RCPL based on three key factors: Service to the community Creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs Leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by other libraries From those libraries nominated, all elements were reviewed in the context of individual library budgets so that virtually every library is eligible, including academic, public, and special libraries from throughout North America. According to Francine Fialkoff, Library Journal's Editor, "The library's outstanding service to the community, exceptional campaign advertising its services to the community, and singular planning and management made it this year's clear choice and a model for libraries nationwide." Previous recipients of the award include: 1992 Redwood City Public Library, California 1993 Austin Public Library, Texas 1994 Brown County Library, Wisconsin 1995 Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina 1996 Broward County Library, Florida 1997 Ann Arbor District Library, Michigan 1998 Medina County District Library, Ohio 1999 Valley Library, Oregon State University 2000 Gwinnett County Public Library, Georgia The announcement of Library of the Year 2001 comes on the heels of the fall announcement that Richland County Public Library ranks fourth among urban libraries serving populations of 250,000-499,999 and sixth among urban libraries serving populations of 250,000 or more according to a survey, HAPLR Ratings, 2000. Thomas J. Hennen, Jr., outlines the survey in the November, 2000, issue of American Libraries, the journal of the American Library Association. The Richland County Public Library's exceptional achievements and its contributions to the community have been enhanced by its outstanding, up-to-date materials in all formats; state-of-the-art technology; highly trained staff; a multitude of innovative services; superb programming for all ages; and beautiful and functional facilities located strategically throughout the county. Through many years of thoughtful planning and skillful implementation, RCPL has become a leader among libraries in the state, in the Southeast, and in the nation.

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The mission of the Richland County Public Library is to provide experiences that Inspire, Inform and Entertain.