Senator Leach Recognizes Two Outstanding Librarians at Awards Ceremony at American Reading Company

Sen. Daylin Leach (D- Montgomery/Delaware) today honored two local librarians at the fifth annual Librarians of the Year celebration held at the American Reading Company in King of Prussia.

"I am so pleased to honor these two deserving women for their work on behalf of our community," Leach said. "The work that librarians do often goes uncelebrated, but librarians can change the lives of children and adults alike. Today we celebrate them and thank them for their efforts."

Leach posthumously honored Bonnie Davis of Penn Wynne Library with the 2013 Public Librarian of the Year award and named Sue Dahlstrom of Wayne Elementary School the 2013 School Librarian of the Year. Clifton Davis, widower of Bonnie Davis, and daughter-in-law Natasha Davis accepted the award on her behalf.

"Bonnie just radiated a love of people, books and sharing. She was the kind of librarian any parent would want their children to have," said Judy Soret, head librarian at Penn Wynne Library. Soret added that Davis served as librarian at Penn Wynne for more than 20 years.

In addition to her work at Wayne Elementary School, Sue Dahlstrom served as the Radnor Township School District's representative to the Board of Radnor Library for three years. She is a member of the PA School Librarians Association and the PA Young Reader's Choice Awards Program.

"[Sue] has been a leader in strategic planning, fundraising and outreach efforts. Sue is a tireless advocate and a facilitator. She is an expert in her field, fostering collaboration and service to students and parents," described one nomination form sent to Leach's office.

The Librarians of the Year event, part of National Library Week, honors two outstanding librarians from the 17th district each year - one who works in the local school system and one who serves the public library system. The event is sponsored by the American Reading Company.