The Library System of Lancaster County honored a library trustee, a public library staff member, and a library volunteer during their Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, April 28 at the Manheim Township Public Library. The Library Trustee recognized for over 20 years of service to public libraries is Terry L. Kauffman, Library Trustee of the Library System of Lancaster County. Kauffman is currently Vice President of Business Development for Arro consulting in Lititz, PA. He is also current Chairman of the Lancaster County Transportation Authority. He had served as the Administrator of Mount Joy Borough Authority, a position that he held since 2001 before his retirement from that post.
Public Library Trustee Award Winner
Trustee Recognition Award was established in 2004 to recognize trustee achievement for Lancaster County libraries in the areas of preservation, growth and development. Boards made up of community volunteers who ensure that access to information and library services are delivered to county residents govern public libraries in Lancaster County.
Terry Kauffman has been committed to public service in Lancaster County for more than two decades. He has served on Planning Commission task forces and on a myriad of other organizations throughout the community. He also served as a Lancaster County Commissioner from 1991-1999. Kauffman also possesses a broad knowledge of how Lancaster County operates and along with his extensive service as a volunteer throughout the Lancaster non-profit community; he has proven to be an effective leader for libraries.
His service to public libraries in our county has been longstanding. The Lancaster county Board of Commissioners appointed him to serve on the Library System’s Board of Directors from 2000- 2003 and again in 2011, a post that he still holds. He is still serving as a board member who offers a rich historical perspective on how public libraries have evolved during the past 30 years. He is one of the Library System’s most valuable human assets.
He also served on the Lancaster County Public Library Task Force (2009 – 2010) that was formed to assess the state of library services in the county. His extensive knowledge of libraries in the county coupled with his commitment to keep the public libraries viable has resulted in two initiatives that benefit Lancaster County residents:
He was instrumental in procuring a Community Development Block Grant to fund the purchase of a new bookmobile in 1999.The Bookmobile was purchased in 2000 and made a colorful debut to residents countywide during an official launch in April 2000.He often credits his love of libraries due to the fact that he used the Bookmobile when he was a child in Lancaster County. Some refer to him as the “godfather’ of the Bookmobile.
The following year (2001) he prepared the ground in Lancaster County for an ‘Economic Gardening” initiative patterned after a program in Littleton, CO, which resulted in the “Business Information Program”.This program was first offered in six public libraries that were geographically placed to provide convenient locations for library users.The program provided first-rate business reference services to a maximum number of residents in need of information on how to grow their businesses and increase economic development in the county.The Lancaster County program differed from the Littleton, Colorado program in that It was the first of its kind that involved a public library partnership with a government entity —The Lancaster County Planning Commission.
The Library System’s Annual Meeting also serves as an opportunity to recognize outstanding Library Staff. Initiated in 2008, this award is presented to a library staff member who has provided excellence in public library services in Lancaster County. This year the Library System recognized Cindy Farley, Lancaster Public Library’s Director of Finance and Facilities.
For the past eight (8) years, Cindy Farley has served in her current post as Director of Finance and Facilities for the Lancaster Public Library. She is responsible for all accounting, payroll and reporting functions of the Duke Street location and its two branch libraries — in Mountville and Leola. She also prepares the library’s Annual State Report; oversees the library’s annual external audit; prepares bid processes for major expenses and capital improvements and assists in the preparation of grant applications.
She strives for excellence in her own job area and exhibits a professional manner with all who come in contact with her. As a good ‘team player’ she works well with others to help solve problems and is very knowledgeable about all aspects of library operations and services.
Karen Fields, Lancaster Public Library Board Treasurer, has high praise for Ms. Farley, “She is a self-starter who is always seeking ways to trim costs without compromising service to our patrons. She is very passionate about the library, which is shown through her willingness to put in many overtime hours assisting at library fundraisers and other after-hour public events.”
The category of Library Volunteer of the Year was initiated in 2013. This award honors the value that library volunteers, who have given freely of their time, expertise, and energy, enhance the value of public libraries in our communities. Without exception, volunteers help in many immeasurable ways to improve library service and fundraising in Lancaster County. This year’s recipient is Linda Berger who has served as a volunteer at the Manheim Township Public Library for the past 10 years.
Berger served as Co-chair of the Friends of the Library since 2008. Her efforts and accomplishments with the Friends Group and her significant service to the community have earned her special merit. She has been a tireless and dedicated volunteer, particularly with our book sales. She has a strong history of service to public libraries; in fact, she was instrumental in organizing Library book sales at another public library and when she came on board at the Manheim Township Public Library, she chaired their book sale that first year and continues to help with the event each year.
According to Katrina Anderson, library director, “Linda has been exceptional in her dedication to our library. Her organizational skills and attention to detail have been invaluable to her team, the library and, subsequently, to the community. The funds raised from the sales have made the difference in the services and resources that the library is able to offer as state and municipal support remain unstable.”
Past Trustee Award winners
Past trustees who were honored include Walt Crellin, Moores Memorial Library (2014); Andre Fouchet, Library System of Lancaster County (2013); Lois Morgan, Manheim Township Public Library (2011); LaVerne (Bud) Rettew, Moores Memorial Library in Christiana and Robert Spotts, Eastern Lancaster County Library (2010 Winners); Greg Diehl, Manheim Community Library and the Library System Board (2009); Jack Bryer and Bob Gingher, Pequea Valley Public Library (2008); Walt Trumbauer, Ephrata Public Library (2007); Barbara Grater, Ephrata Public Library (2006); Virginia McGrath, Adamstown Area Library (2005) and Joseph F. Duff, Quarryville Library (2004).
Past Staff Award Recipients
In 2014, Nancy Behney, Milanof-Schock Library Assistant Director was recognized for her 15 years of service to the library community. In 2011, Janet Bailey, Manheim Township Public Library Operations Manager was recognized for her service to public libraries. In 2010, the Library System recognized two outstanding Library Staff: Joyce Sands, Deputy Director of the Lancaster Public Library and Donna Westerhoff, Internal Operations Manager for the Library System. There were also two Employees of the Year in 2009: Margie Perella, Library Director of Pequea Valley Public Library and Sandy Dinoff, retired director of Strasburg-Heisler Library. Jennifer Raimo was the first recipient of the Library Employee of the Year in 2008 just before her retirement after serving 20 years as the Ephrata Public Library’s director.
Past Volunteer Award Recipient: Gregg Dubbs, Columbia Public Library (2013).
About the Library System of Lancaster County
The Library System of Lancaster County is a federated system with 14 member libraries, three branches and a bookmobile, which serves 519,462 residents. Established in April 1987, the Library System provides well-coordinated countywide services and cooperative programs to assist member libraries in meeting the diverse needs of its community residents.
The mission of the Library System of Lancaster County is to bring together all 14 member public libraries to plan and create a cost-effective network of technology, facilities and resources to meet the informational, educational and recreational needs of all residents of Lancaster County. The Library System ensures that a network of support services is provided to all public libraries in the county.
LSLC Vision Statement
The Library System of Lancaster County supports member Libraries to be vibrant community centers where people and communities connect to what they need to achieve their greatest potential. Together with member Libraries, we foster an environment of collaboration, trust and transparency that propels continual development. Member libraries choose us as an integral partner in their strategy for success.