Recently, while at the 2015 NYLA Conference, I witnessed Pauline Emery accept the Mary Bobinski Innovative Public Library Director Award. She did so with grace and humility and her eyes focused on the future of our profession and our neighborhoods. It was really beautiful. Unfortunately, I recorded that audio with Hope Decker’s phone (I felt uncomfortable bringing our fancy camera to a place where I would be eating around it), and because it was so close to me, you mainly hear my shrill wooping and ultra-loud clapping. I’m a fan of great librarians and apparently, I don’t know how to be quiet about it.
Please enjoy the only unruined clip of Pauline thanking the room, the story of the Southeast Steuben County Library persevering through challenge, and Pauline’s views on The Degree.
Thank you Chumbawamba for the clips of Tubthumping (I promise it’s relevant).
Full disclosure: Pauline is the director of my local public library and I have every personal interest in her being amazing.
