The Rhode Island Library Association (RILA), the professional association that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships and legislative action, has recognized one of the Rogers Free Library librarians as Outstanding Librarian of the Year, while one of the Friends of the Library has been selected to receive the state award for that role.

Nancy Kellner is the winner of the 2022 Outstanding Librarian of the Year Award, and Catherine Murray has been voted the winner of the 2022 Meritorious Friend of the Library Award.

“I am very honored to have been nominated by a colleague for this award. Libraries have been an integral part of my life since I was a child. From a young patron…to a librarian in my newly adopted community of Bristol at Rogers Free Library, I just can’t seem to get them out from under my skin,” Kellner said.

Likewise, Murray traces her involvement with Rogers Free Library to fond childhood memories. “As a young child, my mom made our frequent library visits very special, and books and reading were always important at home. Upon her retirement, she chaired the board at her local library and, perhaps in some way, that level of involvement rubbed off. Years later, with time available once I retired from a marketing career, becoming involved in Rogers Free Library seemed a natural,” she said.

Both women have taken collaborative and leadership roles at RFL in recent years.

“As a director of the nonprofit Friends of Rogers Free Library foundation, I’m one of a small group of local library supporters who has the privilege of reviewing library-related programming proposals developed by both RFL staff and community members, and awarding funding to support them,” Murray said. “One particularly dear to me is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library project. Through funding by the Friends, we're bringing a free book every month into the homes of children under age 5.”

“The last few years have been a time of transition at Rogers Free Library,” said Kellner. “When I was asked to act as co-interim director in both 2020 and 2021-22, along with youth services librarian Charlotte Burnham, I welcomed these opportunities to hold down the fort during the searches for a new director. It was important to keep the lines of communication open to minimize the disruption that the turnover of leadership and the uncertainty of Covid can bring. This open two-way communication kept us on an even keel and is what I am most proud of.”

“I liken my role to that of the quarterback…they are nothing without their team and their coaches,” Kellner said. “I share this award with the entire staff of Rogers Free Library and our supportive board of trustees.”

“To be recognized by the Rhode Island Library Association is a true honor,” Murray said.

Library Director Dawn Jenkin, who has only been at her post since January, is grateful to have found herself leading a team so stacked with dedicated staff and volunteers.

“I have genuinely been blown away by the caliber of talent and expertise evidenced in every area of the Rogers Free Library, from our staff and board of trustees to the Friends of the library and our patrons,” she said. “It’s really nice to see our people acknowledged by the library association. It's even better to know they have been nominated by current and even former colleagues.

“We are fortunate to have people who are as thoughtful as they are skilled. Nancy and Catherine embody the best of Bristol.”

RILA will be recognizing the winners at a luncheon awards ceremony on May 25 at the RILA Conference at Bryant University.