UPTOWN — Two Uptown branches vying for the grand prize of $20,000 for the third-annual NYC Neighborhood Library Awards are one step closer to winning, officials said, thanks to support from residents.
With approximately 500 nominations under their belt, the Fort Washington Library and Inwood Library, two of the three branches in Washington Heights and Inwood, are moving on to the final round as a top then for the library awards known as the "Oscars for libraries," according to a statement from the Charles H. Revson Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, who together launched the initiative in 2013.
Although the number of nominations aren't as large as many other libraries — there were 19,000 total nominations received this year — officials said they'll be deciding based on the quality, not the quantity of the nominations.
Nominations, which were collected from November to the end of December last year, were meant to highlight “how the library impacted [residents] and their lives,” said Maria Marcantonio, program officer at Charles H. Revson Foundation.
Locals were encouraged to nominate their library, say how they use their library and any other personal experience, either by visiting the branch and filling out a form or going online.
Based on the nominations Uptown's branches received, Marcantonio added that “it’s safe to say that both of these branches are hugely supported by their communities.”
Inwood Library manager, Danita Nichols, said the staff was thrilled with the news. “We are so excited here,” she said.
Nichols helped mobilized the libraries in Washington Heights and Inwood last year, working together with the other branches on several programs for non-English speaking families, computer workshops and teen programs. She said the award would make a big difference in creating "better services for the community."
The panel of judges, which is comprised of award-winning authors, librarians and government officials, will select the five grand prize-winning libraries, each of whom will receive $20,000, Marantonio said.
The remaining libraries will each receive $10,000. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 6 at the Hearst Tower at 300 W. 57th St.
