Sara Turner awarded the 2025 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity

CHICAGO - The 2025 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity is awarded to Sara Turner, Deputy Director/Children's Librarian of the Lewiston Public Library in Maine, for her unwavering commitment to community, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her dedication to the principles of librarianship. The award will be presented to Turner in Philadelphia in June at the annual conference of the American Library Association.

In the face of varied challenges, Turner has emerged as a steadfast leader, ensuring that the second-largest library in Maine remains a secure, inclusive, and resilient space for the entire community. Lewiston attracts a large number of “New Mainers,” including immigrants and refugees, bringing both incredible diversity and unique challenges such as language barriers and access issues. To bring people together, Turner has spearheaded initiatives to create safe spaces for difficult conversations, fostering dialogue that brings people together to learn, interact, and heal.

In the aftermath of the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, Turner ensured that the Lewiston Public Library became a hub of healing. City departments, the FBI, and community members gathered to work through unimaginable loss. Storytime families who had known one of the victims rallied together, bonding in the library. Recognizing the community’s need for solace after the devastating mass shooting, Ms. Turner also expanded the library’s resources on bereavement and loss in a gathering space where residents could grieve and support one another. In times of crisis, Sara Turner has transformed the library into more than just a place for books, it has become a sanctuary.

As a dedicated youth services leader, Turner has also worked tirelessly to provide new books to every child participating in the summer reading program, reinforcing the library’s role as a pillar of learning and literacy. Beyond fostering a love of reading, she has been a powerful advocate for improved workplace policies, ensuring that library staff receive the support they need to serve the public effectively.

Turner’s leadership embodies the fundamental belief that a library is more than a collection of books, it is a community lifeline. Through her resilience, advocacy, and unwavering commitment, Turner has redefined what it means to serve, ensuring that the library remains a beacon of hope and connection for all.

The award jury members include: Rachel Nichols, Teacher Librarian, Black Rock Middle School; Dr. Nicole A. Cooke, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and Professor, School of Library and Information Science University of South Carolina; Scott Summers, Assistant Director, Media & Education Technology Resource Center, NC State University College of Education; and Denise Neujahr, Youth Services Manager, Spokane Public Library

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves 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.