Community Partner Award Will be Presented to UAlbany CEHC

September 24, 2020 | Library News

Updated 10/2/20

Albany Public Library  is proud to honor the University at Albany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) with the 2020 Community Partner Award.

The award presentation will take place at the virtual Literary Legends Gala hosted by the Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library (FFAPL) on Oct. 17.

“Albany Public Library is grateful for the relationship it has established with the University at Albany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity,” said Scott C. Jarzombek, APL’s executive director.

“APL has long been intertwined with the university’s graduate program in information science, what we like to call ‘library school’. For many years, APL staff have taught at the library school, welcomed student interns to our branches, and hired graduates to work for us. That program is now housed at CEHC, which has given APL a wonderful opportunity to tap into the wider knowledge and expertise of the faculty. CEHC’s guidance has been valuable to the library’s leadership team as it navigates through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Early on this spring, APL staff started 3D printing PPE that was distributed to medical personnel through an effort by CEHC. For all of this work and the projects that are to come, Albany Public Library is proud to honor CEHC with the Community Partner Award,” Jarzombek said.

“The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity is honored to have partnered with Albany Public Library on the 3D printing PPE for COVID project. APL and CEHC have a long history and this a culmination of working to deepen our partnership and look forward to making a difference together in the future,” said Jennifer Goodall, PhD, vice dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany.

The APL Community Partner Award recognizes the contributions of schools, businesses, agencies, and organizations that make the work of the library possible. This is the third year of the award; previous recipients are Youth FX and CDTA.

CEHC will receive the award at the Friends and Foundation of APL’s annual gala, dubbed Literary Legends @ Home this year because it will take place virtually on Oct. 17. The event recognizes outstanding local authors, illustrators, and publishers. The gala serves as a fundraiser for the foundation, which supports special programs and projects at the library. Since its inception, more than $130,000 has been raised through the annual event.

This year’s Literary Legends @ Home event honors Albany writer Elisa Albert. She is the author of the novels After Birth and The Book of Dahlia as well as the short story collection How This Night is Different. Albert served as a writer-in-residence at Bennington College.

Tickets for the virtual Literary Legends @ Home event can be purchased online from the Friends and Foundation of APL. The suggested donation is $25 to $75.

Stephanie Simon

Stephanie Simon is manager of APL's Communication and Creative Services Department, which provides content and information for the library's website, social media, publications, videos, podcasts, and other outlets. Stephanie also manages APL's public relations and marketing efforts.