Left to right: William H. Turri, Deputy Public Printer of the United States; Richard Akeroyd, New Mexico State Library Director; Laurie Canepa, New Mexico Regional Federal Documents Librarian; U.S. Senator to New Mexico Pete Domenici. The U.S. Government Printing Office is proud to present to
New Mexico State Library the 2005 Library of the Year Award. The
library won the award for going the extra mile to promote the goals of
the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in creative and
innovative ways.
"New Mexico State Library is a shining example of what can happen when
conscientious dedication and technological advances meet. This
combination has ensured that access to authentic Federal Government
documents is among the top priorities at this now award-winning state
library," said Bruce James, Public Printer of the United States. "The
New Mexico community is served by some of the most resourceful,
innovative, and knowledgeable librarians in the country and GPO salutes
their achievements."
New Mexico State Library's programs have helped provide access to
Government information to people whether living in a city or on an
isolated mountaintop. Deputy Public Printer Bill Turri presented the
award to library staff during a ceremony on October 16th, as part of
this year’s Fall Federal Depository Library Conference. Achievements
such as New Mexico News Plus, the New Mexico State Library Digital
Archive Project, and Docs on Wheels provide access to Government
information to the people of New Mexico.
New Mexico News Plus is a web-based information research service
designed to serve as an access tool for New Mexico’s libraries,
students, teachers, citizen activists, and federal/state government
policy makers. Updated each morning in response to the news of the day,
New Mexico News Plus provides the user with links to Government
documents and agency contacts behind each story.
The New Mexico State Library Digital Archive Project provides a
mechanism for the library to capture “fugitive” electronic documents
from regional Federal agencies that have been identified on the New
Mexico News Plus service or through local agency contacts. Many
documents produced by regional offices of Federal agencies would never
find their way into the program without this project.
The library also provides an excellent bookmobile service. Docs on
Wheels serves four geographic regions, serving 10,000 registered
customers. Many of the library’s rural patrons lack Internet access and
rely on this service to participate in the regulatory process. The
service gives them the ability to comment on proposed rules and
regulations that impact their lives and communities.
“I commend New Mexico State Library for its pioneering work in managing
public and Federal information which is reflected by this prestigious
award. The Library’s approach, to make data of particular relevance to
New Mexico available, is unique and highly innovative. It is an
exciting and precise educational tool that can empower citizens to
participate even more fully in the public policy processes that impact
all of our lives,” said U.S. Senator Pete Domenici.
Library director Richard Akeroyd, regional Federal documents librarian
Laurie Canepa, and their staff have shown passion and dedication to
these projects and other efforts that have made the New Mexico State
Library a recognized national leader in disseminating Government
information.
"It is a great honor to receive this recognition
from the U.S. Government Printing Office. All of us at the New Mexico
State Library are extremely gratified and proud to be recognized for
the dedication and commitment of our depository library staff to making
government information freely and readily available to the people of
New Mexico,” said Library Director Richard Akeroyd. “We look forward to
continuing our close work with the Government Printing Office, and our
federal documents depository colleagues, in contributing to the
on-going maintenance of a strong depository library system in New
Mexico and throughout the nation."
For more information about the New Mexico State Library, visit their Web site.
Photo Gallery:
Congratulatory messages from state and Federal officials:
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