Poudre River Public Library District wins award for innovative work during High Park Fire

The Poudre River Public Library District was recognized recently for its innovative approach to helping evacuees during the 2012 High Park Fire. A panel of judges with the Urban Libraries Council selected the library district as 2013 Top Innovator from 140 applications submitted for the fourth annual ULC Innovations Initiative.

ULC’s Innovations Initiative, awarded during the ULC Annual Forum on June 27-28 in Chicago, highlights members’ programs, services and operating practices that demonstrate their ability to keep pace with change and expand opportunity for people of all ages. Poudre River Public Library District’s Libraries as first responders won in the new category honoring libraries for leadership in helping their communities respond to crisis.

The Poudre River Public Library District worked hand-in-hand with first responder agencies during the High Park Fire by providing up-to-date and reliable information throughout the crisis and establishing a presence at the evacuation center including a laptop lab and story times, books and programs for children of displaced families.

“The Library District is honored to be recognized for its services in response to the High Park Fire. Without delay, library employees and volunteers stepped up to assist our community in a time of crisis,” commented said executive director Holly Carroll, who accepted the award for the Library District at a breakfast ceremony on June 28.

In announcing the 2013 Top Innovators, ULC President and CEO Susan Benton said these libraries and every library that submitted programs for the Innovations Awards this year demonstrate the amazing work that takes place in libraries every day.

Other libraries receiving the prestigious Top Innovator award include: Howard County, Md., Library system; Los Angeles Public Library; Nashville, Tenn., Public Library; Calgary Public Library in Alberta, Canada; Saint Paul, Minn., Public Library; Pima County, Az., Public Library; New York, Queens and Brooklyn Public Libraries; San Francisco Public Library; Sacramento, Calif., Public Library; and Johnson County, Kan., Library.