(L to R) Librarian Mary Marcinkowski, Principal Richard Vanden Boom, MCCLA President Maureen Kelly

Our Lady of the Lakes had a special visit from Maureen Kelly, President of the Michigan Chapter of the Catholic Library Association (MCCLA) during our middle and high school awards assembly on May 30. Each year the MCCLA presents the Gabriel Richard award to a principal, administrator, teacher, volunteer or benefactor who gives extraordinary support to the library. This year, our own Principal Vanden Boom was recognized with the 2017 Gabriel Richard Award. Recipients of this award exhibit the following traits:

• Visits the library regularly and promotes special library programs and activities.
• Is actively involved in library programs and activities.
• Initiates library improvements.
• Supports funding for the library.
• Supports the librarian as an integral member of the school staff.
• Supports the librarian’s decisions on budget expenditures and library acquisitions.

Congratulations to Principal Vanden Boom on receiving this award. Already, our library has received new furniture, we can’t wait to see what more is in store for our library and media center!