At the ALA Conference in Anaheim on Sunday 6/29/08, the Plinkit Public Library Interface Kit received an ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award.  This is a citation presented to one or more ASCLA members in recognition of leadership and achievement in the following areas of activity: consulting, multi-type library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs and state library development.

  Gene, Bev, Sharon, Tine and Darci accepting the award.

A lovely plaque was presented to Plinkit State Coordinators Darci Hanning, Bev Obert, Sharon Morris, Tine Walczyk and Colorado State Librarian, Gene Hainer, who all spoke about how Plinkit had allowed libraries in their states to have a presence on the web.  Morris mentioned that when there was a tornado in a Colorado town and residents were looking for information, they were told that their Plinkit library website had the most reliable information on the tornado.

“The PLINKIT Collaborative is an innovative, multi-state technology project that was chosen for this award in recognition of its significant impact on libraries and communities across a broad section of America,” said Kathleen Hegarty, ASCLA awards committee chair. “The PLINKIT Collaborative also represents a pioneering initiative, being the first collaborative technology project of its kind among state library and regional agencies.”

  Sharon, Bev, Gene, Tine and Darci with the plaque.

At a meeting after the awards ceremony, a toast was drunk to Plinkit for giving libraries that would not otherwise be on the web a way to reach their online patrons.

View ALA Press Release.