2002 Grolier Foundation Award recipient named
Contact: Cheryl Malden
312-280-3247
cmalden@ala.org
For Immediate Release
April 2002
2002 Grolier Foundation Award recipient named
Mary D. Lankford, Director of Libraries for the Texas Education Agency, is the 2002 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) Grolier Foundation Award.
The $1,000 award and citation, donated by the Grolier Publishing Company, is presented to a librarian whose "unusual contribution to the stimulation and guidance of reading by children and young people" exemplifies outstanding achievement in the profession.
Lankford was chosen for her passion and commitment to children, books and libraries. Throughout her professional career, she has worked with young readers to introduce them to the world of books and the lifelong pleasures and importance of reading.
She is an educator, library administrator, mentor and author of several children's books. "She believes in the power of books and reading to change children's lives," said Chair Victor Schill. "Lankford is a source of inspiration and a model for librarians around the country in her devotion to her profession."
Lankford has received numerous awards, including University of North Texas Distinguished Alumni Award; American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National School Library Media Program of the Year Award; and the Doyle McKinney Award (Outstanding Member) from the Irving Sunrise Rotary Club. The Irving Schools Foundation now offers a scholarship named for her.
An active member of the ALA, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and AASL, Lankford has published several articles and taught numerous workshops and seminars for librarians, teachers and administrators. She also is a past president and active member of the Texas Library Association. ALSC and AASL are divisions of the ALA.
Lankford has an M.L.S. from Texas Woman's University, and a B.A. from the University of North Texas.
The Grolier Award will be presented Tuesday, June 18, at the ALA Annual Conference in Atlanta.
