Title
Honoring, recognizing and congratulating Siobhan A. Reardon for being named the 2015 Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal.
Body
WHEREAS, Siobhan A. Reardon was named the 2015 Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal, a well respected journal for the library community that has been in publication for over 100 years; and
WHEREAS, She was appointed President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia in 2008 and is the first woman to serve in this capacity. During a time of economic downturn, Ms. Reardon was forced to take a 20 percent budget cut and drastically reduce branch hours; and
WHEREAS, Through the midst of budget cuts, Ms. Reardon streamlined and enhanced neighborhood library services, shared resources and a staff of 800 among neighborhood libraries and collaborated with community leaders to develop programs and services most needed by residents. These efforts improved efficiencies, internal communications, and patron experience; and
WHEREAS, Using a cluster model, every neighborhood now has expert librarians on core focus areas such as health information, family literacy, services for New Americans, small businesses and entrepreneurs, job seekers and people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Reardon has led the library's efforts to move beyond its walls by creating computer and Internet hot spots that offer free technology access and training in partnership with local organizations in underserved neighborhoods. In a city where more than 40 percent of the population lacks an Internet connection at home, Reardon's efforts helped bridge the City's digital divide. The Free Library of Philadelphia now boasts seven hot spots, 54 physical buildings and the University of Pennsylvania facility; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Reardon also improved fundraising efforts on behalf of the Free Library during its campaign to raise money for renovations to the central branch. By focusing on phased improvements to both the central branch and the neighborhood libraries, she revamped the approach and decided to do the project on a piecemeal basis making substantial improvements. This process helped engage a number of important foundations in the City that were willing to provide the necessary funding; and
WHEREAS, Previously, Ms. Reardon was Executive Director of the Westchester (NY) Library System, a 38-member cooperative library system. Prior to that, she was Deputy Executive Director of the Brooklyn Public Library, serving as Chief Operating Officer of the nation's fifth largest library system. She also served as Acting Executive Director and Director of Finance, responsible for the Library's $85 million annual budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honor, recognize, and congratulate Siobhan A. Reardon for being named the 2015 Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Reardon, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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