After the tremendous success of the first three NYC Neighborhood Library Awards, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation joined again to offer New Yorkers another opportunity to recognizeand celebrate their local libraries. The 4th Annual NYC Neighborhood Library Awards launched on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show on February 7th, 2017 and New Yorkers were invited to share their stories via hand-written and online nomination forms through March 13th, 2017.
The fourth Awards honored and highlighted the wonderful neighborhood libraries of NYC’s three public library systems: the Brooklyn Public Library; Queens Library; and the New York Public Library, which operates branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Due to increased public awareness of the Awards and significant branch engagement with their patrons, the fourth Awards received over 24,000 nominations, in 10 languages, during the 5-week nomination period!
At a ceremony on October 2nd, 2017, the Revson Foundation and Stavros Niarchos Foundation announced the winners of the 4th Annual NYC Neighborhood Library Awards. Five libraries were selected by a panel of judges as grand-prize winners and received $20,000 each and five additional finalists received $10,000 each. In addition, the Heckscher Foundation for Children awarded the Heckscher Prize for Outstanding Service to Children and Youth and $20,000 to a library for its proven commitment to New York City’s youth through special programs, classes, and events. This year also featured several new, special awards, including: the Award for Distinction in Service and the Perennial Excellence Award (given to three library branches).
All of these branches were highlighted by the tens of thousands of heartfelt nominations written by New Yorkers from across the city. All of the over 200 library branches received multiple nominations, proving the indispensable and cherished role that these libraries play in communities throughout the five boroughs.
All photos courtesy of Gerri Hernandez