GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Thomas B. Norton Public Library in Gulf Shores was the only library in the state to receive a Gold Star Award at the state convention in Hoover.

On April 26 library staffers were presented the prestigious ALLA Gold Star Standards Achievement Award.

“The Thomas B. Norton Public Library is deeply honored to receive this award,” Library Director Wendy Congiardo said. “To be recognized by the ALLA is a tribute to the enthusiasm and hard work of everyone on our staff and to the collaborative effort and support put forth by our entire city.”

The ALLA Gold Star Standards Achievement Award is awarded each year to libraries throughout the state that represent the "Alabama Public Library Standards" at an exemplary level. These standards are the guiding principles for all statewide public libraries and encompass facility, administrative, planning, budgetary, collection, public service and technology standards.

“Back in the 90s the Alabama Public Library Service created standards for libraries to work toward to measure the service they are providing to the community,” Congiardo said. “We’ve actually won it three times before I took over in 2004. So this is the first time us to get one since I started as the director.”

The library staff presented the framed award to an appreciative City Council during a recent work session.

“This represents a whole lot of work by a lot of people and leadership,” Councilwoman Carolyn Doughty said.

A large portion of the audience was representing the library staff.

“About half of the audience here today is my staff, their families and the Library Board,” Congiardo said. “And we wanted to come and we wanted to present it and share it with everybody else in the city because we couldn’t do what we do without your work, your support of us, the council, other departments, patrons, everybody. We appreciate it.”

Congiardo said there is one more award above the Gold Star and she and her staff will be working to achieve that one next.

“This award is actually the second level,” she said. “There is one higher so we’re going to be working on trying to get the blue ribbon award next year.

“That is the next goal on our horizon. Our staff has already begun working on our application for next year and we look forward to continuing the rich legacy of our library and improving each and every year.”

Besides Congiardo, library staffers include Library Assistant Vern Cresap, Reference Librarian Jane Daugherty, Adult Services Librarian Deanne Fincher, Library Assistant Lisa Gunter, Serials Librarian Sherry Hoffman, Youth Services Librarian Amy Maliska, Circulation Supervisor Melody Solstad, Technical Services Librarian Julie Teague-Maly and Museum Administrator Christie Watford-Shannon.

The Library Advisory Board members are Chairman Bobbie Rooker, Vice Chair Thomas B. Norton Jr., Treasurer Judy Watley and members Jean Rollings, Morgen Szapiel, Paula Teipel and John Wallace.