Brooklyn Public Library Presents Inaugural Dr. Lucille C. Thomas Award for Excellence in Librarianship

Award Named for Legendary NYC Librarian, Still Going Strong at 94

Paerdegat Library’s Allison Bean Recognized by Peers, Library Leadership

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library presented the inaugural Dr. Lucille C. Thomas Award for Excellence in Librarianship to Paerdegat Library’s Allison Bean at a ceremony held in the Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Cultural Center.

The award, named for longtime BPL trustee Dr. Lucille Thomas, will be given annually to a librarian who provides exemplary service to the public and upholds the highest ideals of the profession.

“A great librarian can change a person’s life forever, and no librarian has changed more lives than Dr. Lucille Thomas,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “Lucille is one of Brooklyn Public Library’s most passionate advocates, and we are honored to present her namesake award to one of the most gifted librarians in our entire system.”

Dr. Thomas is well known and highly regarded figure in her field. She has earned her profession’s highest accolade, honorary membership in the American Library Association. She is a trailblazer, the first African American to serve as president of both the New York Library Association and the New York City School Librarians Association. And over the course of her more than 60 years in librarianship, she has inspired countless others to devote their lives to public service.

“I believe librarianship is one of the most important and rewarding careers a person can choose,” said Dr. Thomas. “My advice to anyone—of any age, from any walk of life—considering a career as a librarian is simple: go for it!”

Dr. Thomas’s connection to Brooklyn Public Library dates to 1955, when she worked at the Library for a year before moving on to a career as an educator and librarian in New York’s public schools. Since her retirement in 1985, she has remained active in her field, leading or serving on numerous committees and professional organizations, authoring reports, presenting at conferences, mentoring students, and traveling the world to advocate for libraries on a global stage. In 1993, Dr. Thomas was appointed to Brooklyn Public Library’s board of trustees, where she has served ever since, including a tenure as president from 2003 to 2006.

Dr. Thomas is known throughout BPL for her connection to staff. She is a fixture at Library events and she is always generous with the wisdom she has acquired over the course of a life lived in service to others. Dr. Thomas noted that when she began her career, “the emphasis for librarians was on conveying the content of books to students. Now, the library touches many facets of a person’s life.

“Libraries don’t just work with books,” she added, “but with communities.”

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About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.