ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS
ARLINGTON LIBRARIAN YULIANA ACEVES RECEIVES ‘ I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN ’ AWARD
Yuliana Aceves , community programming librarian at the Arlington Public Library is a winner of this year ’ s I Love My Librarian Award . Recognized by the American Library Association ( ALA ) for her outreach and programming efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond , Aceves was selected from more than 1,300 nominations from library users across the country .
Aceves ’ programming efforts bring the library front and center to families in the Arlington area , notably those that are primarily Spanish-speaking . Among her many accomplishments , Aceves helped implement the “ Stories to Our Children ” program , which gives parents the opportunity to write and decorate books to give to their children ; leads the “ Little Art ” program , which provides families with an opportunity to explore different art materials each week ; and organized two new programs to encourage dietary wellness and address health concerns in the community .
In 2020 , when the library space closed due to COVID-19 , Aceves led live virtual programs each week on the library ’ s social media platforms to engage Spanish speakers . Her nominators note that her Spanish storytimes were the most popular of all the library ’ s children ’ s programs , writing , “ She has truly been the face of the library for our system and has filmed hours of programs and videos to help us communicate to this audience .”
“ Her commitment to community and bringing relevant programs to the community is amazing ,” her nominators wrote . “ She is truly a gem here in Arlington , and we love that our parents have someone like her as a resource to promote early literacy in the community .”
Aceves and this year ’ s nine other honorees will each receive a $ 5,000 cash prize , a $ 750 donation to their library , and complimentary registration to ALA ’ s LibLearnX . The virtual award ceremony will take place during the conference at 3:30 p . m . on Saturday , Jan . 22 , 2022 , and will be available to stream live at https :// www . youtube . com / user / AmLibraryAssociation .
Since the award ’ s inception in 2008 , library users have shared more than 20,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond to promote literacy , expand access to technology and support diversity and inclusion in their communities . Information regarding previous award winners can be found on the I Love My Librarian website at http :// www . ilovelibraries . org / lovemylibrarian .
Carnegie Corporation of New York generously sponsors the I Love My Librarian Award . The New York Public Library also supports the award . ALA administers the award through its Communications and Marketing Office , which promotes the value of libraries and librarians .