SCRLC Spirit Award

Nominated by the SCRLC staff and presented to a member that has been doing outstanding work on behalf of their community, and on behalf of SCRLC.

Karin Wikoff, Retired Electronic and Technical Services Librarian, Ithaca College; Board Member of the Aurora-Ledyard Historical Society;

Board Member, SCRLC

Karin's involvement with SCRLC dates back several decades, beginning with an internship when she was pursuing her LIS degree. She’s been an active member ever since.

Karin does everything with engagement and thoughtful consideration. She is a dedicated Board member, she’s been active on the Personnel Committee, Membership Dues and Fees Task Group, Plan of Service Design Team and various subcommittees. She is an active DEIJA Advisory Committee member, participated in the BRAVE Conversations series, and received a grant for inclusive cataloging. She also serves on the Board of Aurora-Ledyard Historical Society–and is a very proud and concerned Wells College alumni. She was a founding participant in STDEC, the Southern Tier Digital Equity Coalition and helped to complete our regional requirements for the state’s Digital Equity Plan. 

Our favorite thing about Karin, besides her deep commitment to our Council

values, is that she has always been ready to learn more - not just for self-improvement’s sake, but to benefit the people around her. When she’s in a webinar or a meeting, she participates: sharing her own knowledge and often, commenting on how the new skills being discussed could be applied or improved locally.

Excellence in Action Award

Presented to outstanding staff who are doing amazing work that makes a difference in their community.

Katy Galvin, Technical Services and Collections Manager for the Center for Mark Twain Studies, Elmira College

Katy has worked at the college since 1987. In addition to her core library duties— interlibrary loan, acquisitions, cataloging, and public service—she has taken on numerous extra responsibilities, particularly after the college’s archivist position was eliminated in 2020. As an EC alumna, Katy has shown deep dedication to preserving the college’s history. She has reorganized, inventoried, and curated the archives, improved accessibility, rewritten finding aids, and worked on digitization efforts.

In her role at the Center for Mark Twain Studies, she has also cataloged and arranged materials at the Mark Twain Archives and Quarry Farm, assisting visiting scholars. Katy's diligence, professionalism, and supportive attitude have earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and library visitors alike.

Community Engagement Award

For an organization that has successfully engaged the community—through a special program, marketing campaign, or outstanding exhibit.

Binghamton University Libraries

BUL launched a campaign to showcase the visible impact of library services, moving beyond behind-the-scenes work. The Library Dean set a 2025 goal to demonstrate this impact through three major public-facing projects:

1. Research Showcase – An interactive exhibit on the renovated third floor featuring two large ADA-compliant digital screens displaying interdisciplinary undergraduate research from the Digital Scholarship Center. The browsable interface encouraged self-guided exploration and inspired five new projects in 2025.
2. Data Visualization – A striking art installation on the third floor visualizes campus research activity using library data and includes an interactive wall where visitors can reflect on institutional norms.
3. Poster Exhibit – A colorful, AR-enhanced poster exhibit in the first-floor lobby was curated by the firm Amplifier. Featuring diverse contemporary artists, it celebrates the Libraries' role in promoting inclusivity and innovation.

Together, these initiatives reposition the Libraries as dynamic, forward-thinking spaces, and they enhance the institution’s reputation.

Prism Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice,

and Accessibility

For a staff member or organization that did strong work in advancing DEIJA this past year.

The Hornell Public Library has an impactful Global Tales – Multi-Lingual Storytime Program, launched in 2023. This initiative has become a vital cultural and educational resource, promoting inclusivity and celebrating the diverse languages and backgrounds of the Hornell community.

• The program has hosted five “seasons” of storytime, offering 35 events with 577 participants and featuring 12 languages, with more planned. Attendance has grown by nearly 30%.
• The library has created a dedicated multilingual book collection and an interactive world map display where patrons pin their countries of origin, visually showcasing Hornell’s cultural diversity. One volunteer shared how the program inspired her daughter to reconnect with their native language.
• With support from two grants—a $500 DEI micro-grant and a $10,000 ALA Building Library Capacity Grant—HPL is expanding the program by training volunteers, enhancing outreach, and giving families free books to take home.

The Global Tales program is fostering pride in cultural heritage, strengthening community connections, and making the library a welcoming space for all.

This year's awards were presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Friday, October 24th at The Park Church in Elmira. Thank you to all who attended!