Kent District Library is pleased to announce that it has received the Top Innovator Award from the Urban Libraries Council’s (ULC) Innovation Initiative. KDL was selected by a panel of expert judges from over 250 submissions in ten categories that showcase creative thinking and imaginative applications of library resources.
The Top Innovator for Institutional Change and Strategic Management award recognizes the new Project Management Office (PMO) at KDL. The PMO provides a transparent and equitable process for handling new project ideas while monitoring overall organizational capacity in a large library system with 20 branches, thereby ensuring organizational focus and delivering completed projects that are on time, on budget and within scope. This initiative was developed by Jaci Cooper, Katie Blakeslee, Kip Odell and the KDL team of Branch Outreach and Programming Specialists for managing new ideas and programs.
ULC's Innovations Initiative showcases out-of-the box thinking and new alignment of resources to further education for people of all ages, address race and social equity in our communities, build digital inclusion and digital literacy, and enhance civic engagement for a strong democracy. Libraries from across the country compete for these annual awards. These awards acknowledge the innovative and brave individuals who rally and inspire others to serve people in our community who need it the most.
“This is a great honor for KDL, but it’s bigger win for the people we serve,” said Randy Goble, Director of Engagement at KDL. “Our mission is to further all people, and we’re always focused on developing new innovative avenues to make that happen.”
Additional nominees from KDL include:
Mama Bear & Baby Cubs Support Group (Education – Adults) - Mama Bear and Baby Cubs is a unique program at KDL that provides maternal support and resources for mothers with young children. This is a holistic approach to maternal wellness, but the most important aspect of the program is providing a safe space for mothers to spend time with other mothers while their children are occupied. This initiative is led by Abby Black at the Wyoming Branch.
Community Collaboration with Affinity Mentoring (Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) - KDL partners with Affinity Mentoring, a non-profit dedicated to providing individual, one hour per week mentoring at risk children in multiple school districts. Cultivating brave spaces like this amplifies the voices of young agents of change for a diverse and inclusive community and helps our staff connect, in meaningful, timely and relevant ways. This initiative is led by Sara Proano and the KDL Community Engagement Team in partnership with Affinity Mentoring.
Wimee’s Words – Multimedia Community Partnership (Communicating the Library’s Value) - Wimee’s Words is a interactive multimedia program with multiple segments that spark imagination, inspire creative thinking, storytelling, and exploration, encourage a love of books and reading, celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures, invite curiosity and showcase technology that invites creativity and composition as opposed to consumption. This initiative is led by Kevin Kammeraad and the KDL Community Engagement Team in partnership with Wimage.
Multiple Organization Partnership Puertas Abiertas (Digital Equity and Citizenship) - KDL partners with Puertas Abiertas, a self-organized nonprofit committed to respond to the needs of immigrant woman who have survived violence and/or are dealing with trauma. More often than not, these women are also head of household. We provide tech tutoring and access to community resources through our partners. This initiative is led by Sara Proano and the KDL Community Engagement Team in partnership with Puertas Abiertas.
“Creativity and inventive approaches continue to thrive at ULC member libraries, and this year’s winners are no exception,” said Urban Libraries Council President and CEO Susan Benton. “This year’s submissions highlight our libraries’ remarkable capacity for leadership, commitment and determination during a time of continued change and stress. We celebrate Kent District Library for developing leading-edge programs that will transform their library and community, serving as a model for all public libraries in North America.”
A summary of the PMO initiative is listed at kdl.org/project_management. All 2021 ULC Innovations entries can be viewed at urbanlibraries.org.
