January 26, 2010 

LANSING – Elementary school librarian Carolyn Wheeler is one of 10 national winners of the “I Love My Librarian!” award.

The awards, sponsored by The Carnegie Corporation of New York and the New York Times, encourage library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. The awards program demonstrates how librarians are improving the lives of the people in their communities.” The award is administered by the American Library Association.

Wheeler, media specialist at the Conant Elementary School in Bloomfield Hills for 16 years, was one of three school library media specialists in the nation to win.

“Access to all forms of information media in our schools is vital for learning and Carolyn is a master at that,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “We congratulate her for the exemplary work she does for the students and teachers at her school.”

In nominating Wheeler for the award, Maureen Zack, also of Bloomfield Hills Public Schools, noted Wheeler’s strong contribution to the success of her school’s curriculum by ensuring that teachers have the information and materials they need to meet the grade level content expectations for every subject.

“I am very honored to receive the 2009 I Love My Librarian Award which acknowledges my work as a Media Specialist and Youth Services Librarian with Bloomfield Hills Schools and the Rochester Hills Public Library,” Wheller said.  “Sharing my lifelong love of reading with others, particularly the children, is a delight.”

Wheeler also is the Youth Services Librarian at the Rochester Hills Public Library; teaches evening classes for women at local community centers at no charge; and works with a local homeless shelter.

The entire nomination document for Wheeler can be found at: http://www.ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian/09winners.cfm .

In its most recent issue, January 2010, the American School Board Journal article, “The Future of Libraries,” highlights how school library media centers are essential to students’ success in navigating the their way in the information age. School library media specialists are both librarians and teachers, bringing the expertise and knowledge of both fields to bear on the implementation of the curriculum in the K-12 arena and ensuring that the classroom experience results in maximum student achievement and success.

In praising Wheeler for the example she sets for all school librarians, Tim Staal, Executive Director of the Michigan Association for Media in Education, said: She is a great example to all of us of how we can make a difference in the lives of the people we are called to serve: the students and teachers of Michigan.  Carolyn is the glue that holds the school together.  She helps teachers and students combine a love of reading and learning with the content of the curriculum and appropriate technology use.

“The ‘I Love My Librarian’ awards are a wonderful way to recognize the importance of librarians and libraries nationwide,” said State Librarian Nancy Robertson. “The selection of public and academic librarians, and particularly the inclusion of school librarians, emphasize their importance to lifelong success. Michigan is proud to congratulate Carolyn Wheeler's contribution as both a school and a public librarian.”