Courtesy Photo Presque Isle District Library Youth Services Librarian Kelly Altman poses in front of the Rogers City sign. Altman recently was recognized with a Michigan Library Award.

ROGERS CITY — Presque Isle District Libray Youth Services Librarian Kelly Altman, better known as “Miss Kelly,” recently received an award at the Michigan Library Awards.

The Michigan Library Awards are presented annually and are considered the state’s highest honors within the library community.

The Michigan Library Association, the Michigan Association for Media in Education, the Michigan Academic Library Association, the Library of Michigan, and the Library of Michigan Foundation announced the recipients of the 2022 Michigan Library Awards.

The awards celebrate the excellence, accomplishments, dedication and service of library staff, trustees and supporters in Michigan libraries. Each recipient was chosen through peer review for their outstanding achievements.

At this year’s Michigan Library Association’s annual conference held in Port Huron, Altman received the honor of the Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth.

“The overall improvement and level of engagement from the community’s youth and parents, after our long pandemic years, illustrates what a valuable asset Kelly is for our community,” said Amber Alexander, PIDL Director. “Her enthusiasm, perseverance, and creativity has helped to double the participants in the summer reading program. Kelly’s virtual storytimes began during the pandemic and have many viewers, some as far away as Australia and the U.K.”

These achievements all culminate when the enthusiasm is seen from the eyes of the children. Their eyes light up upon seeing Miss Kelly. It warms the hearts of many.

“My coworkers took advantage of my being gone for the summer reading program to put together a beautiful nomination packet of the programming I have put on the past two years,” Altman said. “Of course, nothing I have done was completely on my own. Everyone at the library and close to me in my personal life has had a hand in it. I have the most fun at work and leave the programs with a full heart every time. I would especially like to thank the parents, caregivers and children that visit our library and attend our programs. It’s their praise and hilarious commentary from the kids that continue to influence me as this district’s youth librarian.”