Susan Spicer to receive Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children

CHICAGO – Susan Spicer, Early Learning Program Manager for the Salt Lake County Library in Utah, has been selected to receive the 2024 Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children. This award, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), annually recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional understanding and support of public library service to children while maintaining administrative responsibilities.

Spicer was selected for her success in building popular and engaging evidence-based programming models and education experiences for the library’s youngest patrons. Spicer’s initiatives set children on the path to love learning and reading, with programs for new parents to ensure their baby has a book before leaving the hospital or birth center; in-person and take-home experiences to teach reading and math concepts for toddlers; and Storytime-To-Go backpacks in English and Spanish to support at-home learning through family Storytime.

Spicer’s approach to library services to youth reflects the spirit of the Sullivan Award. She is highly invested in offering librarians serving youth with mentorship and training opportunities and creates an annual day-long retreat called the Storytime Summit where youth librarians spend time connecting, sharing successful (and sometimes less-successful) programming ideas, and participating in presentations from community partners. She also demonstrates her passion and dedication to young children through mentoring and supporting library staff throughout the state of Utah and across the country. 

“The excitement that Susan shows for little learners is contagious, and families in Salt Lake County greatly benefit from the attention she has devoted to early education,” said Joey McNamee, Interim Library Director at the County Library. “Her dedicated efforts ensure that children’s librarians throughout all our branches have the knowledge, training, and support they need to make a positive difference in the lives of our patrons.”

The 2024 Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children will be presented at the ALA President’s Program, Sunday, June 30, during the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA.

More information about the Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children can be found at Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children | Awards & Grants (ala.org)

The 2024 Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children include Chair, Susan Hess, NYC School Librarian, retired; Alice Knapp, Ferguson Library Main Library, CEO; Christina Fuller-Gregory, SC Governors School for the Arts and Humanities, Assistant Director of Libraries; Dora Ho, Los Angeles Public Library, retired; Deborah Anderson, Los Angeles County Library, Assistant Director, Programs and Education.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.