WCC Librarian Receives Prestigious National Award

Washtenaw Community College [WCC] Librarian Receives Prestigious “I Love My Librarian” Award From Carnegie Corporation Of New York/The New York Times/American Library Association

Richard W. Bailey Librarian Honored For Creative And Innovative Programs, Research Expertise And Dedication to Public Service

Ann Arbor, Mich. – [Feb. 3, 2014] – Molly E.K. Ledermann, a librarian at the Richard W. Bailey [Bailey] library at Washtenaw Community College [WCC] – recently received the national, “I Love My Librarian” award sponsored by The Carnegie Corporation of New York, The New York Times and The American Library Association. Victor Liu, Dean of Learning Resources at WCC, made the announcement.

Ledermann was among ten recipients for the coveted award – which honors librarians from across the country who demonstrate the value of the profession by transforming lives through education.

Ledermann recently located to Southeast Michigan after working for the Missoula Public Library in Montana – where she was employed during the award nomination process. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in comparative literature/German literature from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – from the Madison School of Library and Information Studies.

“The Bailey Library is proud to have a librarian of Molly’s caliber on board and working with our faculty, staff, students and community members, said Victor Liu, dean of learning resources at Washtenaw Community College. “Her perspectives align with ours in understanding the importance of how libraries serve as an instructional environment where both teaching and learning occur. When this type of partnership occurs – an environment is created where the library becomes an extension of the classroom – an approach that benefits everyone who walks through our doors.”

According to the nomination form, examples of Ledermann’s creative approaches in her role as a librarian included bringing books to the community at the local farmer’s market. The onsite presence of the library provided many people with the opportunity to get a library card and check out their first book.

Additionally, she created a book group for the Missoula Public Library as well as developed a collection of books that were circulated to established book clubs throughout Montana and into Idaho. She went the extra mile by learning the specific interests of each book club – and proactively providing book titles that matched the specific interest of each group and its respective members.

Not one to shy away from technology and the role it plays in how information is now gathered and interpreted – Ledermann installed an online chat feature on the Missoula Library’s website, improved the access to the library on mobile devices and developed online events calendars with the ability to register online for classes and events.

“Librarians play an ever-increasing role in helping patrons navigate the expansive amount of information found in today’s world due to the global connection of the Internet,” said Ledermann. “Librarians help facilitate the navigation needed to streamline a search for information. For some, libraries associated with a college or university can be intimidating,” Ledermann continued.  “Here at WCC, we adhere to a mission of creating an environment that is warm, inviting and easy to navigate. If a patron needs help – that’s where a librarian steps in with expertise to target the search and steer it in the right direction.”

Any member of the public can use the WCC Richard W. Bailey library resources and services on site. To borrow books, a person needs a WCC ID card [student, faculty, staff] or a community user card. The community user card has a $15 annual fee. To access the library resources remotely necessitates a WCC affiliation [student, faculty or staff].

For more information about the WCC Richard W. Bailey Library, visit www.wccnet.edu. Under the services column, click on the Library link.

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[Editor’s note: Dean Liu and Molly Ledermann are available for interviews. Please contact Susan Ferraro in the WCC department of public relations at pr@wccnet.edu or (734) 922-5568 or (586) 863-6611.]

The Richard W. Bailey Library was named in honor of longtime Ann Arbor resident and WCC board of trustee member, Richard W. Bailey, Professor Emeritus of English Language & Literature at the University of Michigan. Mr. Bailey served as a WCC trustee for over 30 years. He died in 2011.

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has made education accessible and affordable for the local community for 48 years. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, the College offers over 120 degrees and certificates, an open door admission policy and affordable tuition rates. WCC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. For information about WCC, visit wccnet.edu.

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