Sue Kowalski, Pine Grove Middle School librarian in the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, recently received the inaugural “Impact of the Year Award” from Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies (iSchool). The award celebrates an alum who makes significant contributions to the iSchool community that include leadership, vision and mentorship.
Kowalski was recognized for both her work as an ESM librarian and her involvement with the iSchool in this role. She is a 2003 graduate of the iSchool’s MS in Library and Information Science program.
“I’m honored to be recognized by Syracuse University,” Kowalski said. “My career as a school librarian continues to be impacted by partnerships that maximize the impact that each of us can have. I’m grateful for the collaborative relationships with Syracuse University, teachers, families, community organizations, our school district, public libraries and colleagues in the library community across the region, state and country that allow me to grow personally and professionally.”
Kowalski was honored at the iSchool’s inaugural Alumni Awards and Recognition Program event during Syracuse University’s Orange Central alumni weekend festivities where three others also receive accolades. The Awards and Recognition Program serves to highlight members of the iSchool community and showcase their contributions and talents.
“The entire East Syracuse Minoa Central School District congratulates Sue Kowalski as the one receiving this most prestigious inaugural recognition from the iSchool,” said Donna DeSiato, ESM superintendent. “Sue is an exemplary educator who has positively impacted the lives and learning of many students and educators locally and globally.”
“We started the program as a way to highlight the great work of our alumni,” said Kim Pietro, assistant dean for advancement at the iSchool. “We have graduates doing wonderful work for their community, for their industry and for the iSchool’s current students. These alums are involved with us in many different ways; they advise and mentor our students, recruit them for jobs and internships and host them for company visits. We thought this was a good way to recognize what they give back.”
Pietro said the four honorees “embody the iSchool spirit — a great attitude, enthusiasm for their work and their industry, and a continuous and deep involvement with our school and our students.”
Throughout her career as a librarian, Kowalski has stayed in close contact with the iSchool, giving her time to participate in information sessions for prospective students, visit classes, supervise interns and serve as a role model for future librarians.
As an ESM librarian at Pine Grove Middle School, and Minoa Elementary prior to that, her efforts have received numerous recognitions, including a National School Library Program of the Year award from the American Association of School Librarians in 2011, a Teacher Librarian Leadership Award from the Teacher Librarian Journal in 2012, and the I Love My Librarian Award from the New York Library Association in 2012.
Kowalski was most recently honored earlier in 2016 as an industry Mover and Shaker by the Library Journal for her work keeping the Pine Grove library functional during the building’s two-year closure for a renovation and addition.
