Friends of CT Libraries Award, 2023
Given annually by the Friends of Connecticut Libraries Organization
The Friends of the East Hampton Library were awarded the Friends of CT Library Award in 2023 for their devoted support of the Library’s programming. The contributions of the Friends in 2022 helped the staff fund a Summer Reading kickoff event with 670 attendees and a closing event with over 200 attendees, as well as numerous prizes for the Summer Reading program. They also sponsored a free hot chocolate bar at the town’s annual holiday event, the Jingle Bell Parade. In addition to their financial contributions, the Friends of the East Hampton Public Library are hands-on, volunteering their time during these and other events. They truly embody the Friends of Connecticut Library’s core values of leadership, teamwork, and communication, and their support has a significant impact on the Library’s ability to offer outstanding services to the community.
Excellence in Public Library Service Award, 2021
Given annually to two public libraries in the State (one large, one small) by the Connecticut Library Association
The East Hampton Public Library was awarded the Excellence in Public Library Service Award by the Connecticut Library Association for their work on the life-size Candy Land Project. This award is given annually to two public libraries (one that serves a population over 15,000 people and one that serves a population under 15,000 people) for an outstanding program or service to their community.
Over 3,200 people participated in Candy Land, a 10-day, outdoor COVID- sensitive event. Funded by a grant and brought together with the work, creativity and support of staff, volunteers and local businesses, the event was the largest in the Library’s history.
Featured in five different statewide news outlets, the goal of Candy Land was to bring joy to the East Hampton community during this difficult time. The Library did that and more. Candy Land brought thousands of people together, even when everyone was forced to be apart.
An album of pictures from this event can be found on the Library’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=EastHamptonLibrary&set=a.10158017568430509
East Hampton Friends of Education Award, 2020
Given annually by the East Hampton Public School System
Children’s Librarian April Hannon was selected to be Center School’s recipient of the 2020 East Hampton Friends of Education Award for her work on the Teacher Read Aloud Series. This award is given annually, and established to recognize, honor, and celebrate an outstanding contribution to public school education in East Hampton.
2020’s Teacher Read Aloud Series held during the Summer of 2020 was especially important, as teachers and student had not been able to connect as they usually do. April worked closely with public schoolteachers and administrators, connecting families and educators via Zoom to read stories and and be together through out the pandemic.
Individual Achievement Award, 2019
Given annually by the Friends of Connecticut Libraries Organization
Victoria Fielding, President of the Friends of the East Hampton Public Library was awarded the Individual Achievement Award at the Friends of Connecticut Library annual conference in 2018 for her work reviving the long dormant Friends of the Library organization in East Hampton. At one point, the Friends of the East Hampton Public Library had a long and successful history. For years they were a strong organization with their own permanent book sale and a robust membership. About 13 years ago, however, the organization faltered from a rift between members and since then it had been mostly dormant. The East Hampton Public Library had one ‘Friend’ who maintained a bank account and they still funded our museum passes but the organization was otherwise inactive.
In January of 2018, Victoria Fielding decided that the East Hampton Public Library deserved a more active and robust Friends organization. Together, with our longtime treasurer Alan Hurst, she rallied the troops via Facebook posts and announcements in our local paper and called an organizational meeting. From that first meeting with about 10 people, she has worked tirelessly to grow this organization. Today the organization contributes thousands of dollars towards museum passes, summer reading and library programs each year.
Excellence in Public Library Service Award, 2019
Given annually to two public libraries in the State (one large, one small) by the Connecticut Library Association
The Excellence in Public Library Service Awards honor public libraries that have provided an outstanding program or service to their communities. They are given in 2 population categories (15,000 and under or over 15,000). Nominations are judged on creativity and innovation, service to the community, leadership in creating model programs and programs which will affect the future of the library and its community.
Working with their Library Board and Friends organization, the East Hampton Public Library provided excellent service to their business community.
In the Library’s 2017 Community Conversations, the public identified that the economic growth and vitality of their downtown was their highest priority.
After hearing this, the Library partnered with 22 local businesses to offer educational and instructional workshops and lectures to the public. Allowing businesses to showcase their products and expertise and giving the public educational opportunities.
The Library also partnered with the entrepreneurial non-profit SCORE to offered 8 workshops on small business growth and development. One of their graduates even opened a store in downtown.
Finally during this last holiday season, the Library sponsored a Shop Local campaign. For every purchase made downtown the shopper got a raffle ticket they returned to the library. They ended with over 450 entries each representing money that stayed in East Hampton.
Publicity Award for Best New Library Website, 2019
Given annually by the Connecticut Library Association
The East Hampton Public Library sought a website that would be welcoming, friendly and engaging. They built a platform to showcase their events, digital resources and collections that is both beautiful and functional on every device.
They have given their community an attractive, information-centered website that is modern without being austere and cutting edge without being flashy. With their color palette of blues and gold, the official colors of the East Hampton, they are relevant to their community as well as fresh and inviting. Their graphics are fun but not silly. Their menus are easy to navigate without overwhelming people with too many options or library jargon. Best of all, in their pre-launch user testing, 100% of respondents said that they learned about services that they didn’t know the library offers by looking through the website.
Publicity Award for Best New Library Logo, 2019
Given annually by the Connecticut Library Association
The East Hampton Public Library sought a logo that reflected on their town’s history while highlighting the library’s bright future. Their mark is friendly and welcoming and their font is modern and bold.
East Hampton has a long and proud history of ship-building and bell-making. On every street sign in town there is a ship and a bell. To be relevant to their community, these elements had to be included in their logo. The open book, however, ensures that there is no question that this is the Library’s mark.
Their logo tells people that they are welcoming and open, that they are grounded in their shared history but that they are ready for the future and relevant in changing times.