Laura Pryce, George Halkiades recognized by OLA
From left, George Halkiades, Shellie McGill, and Laura Pryce attend the 2022 Oklahoma Library Association Conference.
Bartlesville Public Library Children’s, Youth and Teen Librarian Laura Pryce and longtime BPL volunteer George Halkiades were recognized last week during the 2022 Oklahoma Library Association Conference.
Pryce was awarded the Association’s 2022 Library Service Award, while Halkiades received the Citizen’s Recognition Award during the conference, held March 9-12 in Tulsa.
Pryce: Dedicated public servant
A 25-year veteran of Bartlesville Public Library, Pryce’s dedication to public service — and, in particular, to the Library’s younger patrons — inspired her to push through challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic to ensure programs continued for the community’s younger members, Library Director Shellie McGill said.
“Laura has worked at our Library for 25 years in July. She has a love of public service and a passion for serving our young patrons,” McGill said. “Our Library’s youth programming has flourished despite challenges caused by the pandemic, and much of that is due to Laura’s dedication to adapting our youth programs to meet those challenges.”
McGill said Pryce helped leverage “some ironic timing,” from which the Library benefitted — including the construction of a community green space adjacent to the Library, located at 600 S. Johnstone Ave., and digital services that helped BPL continue learning services for children, youth and teens.
“With the construction and opening of Unity Square Park across from the Library, Laura embraced the new space, shifting youth programming to the outdoor venue,” McGill said. “This resulted in the Library enjoying an excellent summer reading program. In addition, Laura added ‘Facebook live’ to our programming, allowing those who did not feel comfortable attending in person to enjoy Laura’s programs remotely.”
“Through Laura’s enthusiasm and promotion, patrons switched to Beanstack and we were able to enjoy an excellent and fun reading experience, not only for summer reading program but all year,” McGill said.
Pryce also added STEM kits (helping children learn skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) that patrons check out, as well as created “make-and-take kits” for youth to take home and create. She also coordinates contests regularly.
“She has kept Storytime alive by taking it virtual last year. We still have one virtual session per week, but with spacing have added back four in-person Storytimes,” McGill said.
Last year, Pryce hosted 103 Children’s, Youth and Teen Programs with an attendance of 2,433 participants, McGill said.
“It is fitting that Laura be recognized for her love of our community, her dedication to our patrons and to our Library, and for her tireless dedication to supporting, teaching and engaging our younger patrons,” McGill said.
Halkiades: ‘Quietly changing lives’ through service
A prolific, long-time community volunteer, Halkiades wears several hats at Bartlesville Public Library.
He has served for many years as a leader on the Bartlesville Library Board and on the Library Trust Authority, providing vision and assisting the library in attaining BPL goals.
He also manages the Friends of the Library Book Store and serves in a leadership role on the Friends of the Library Board, which helps the Library by supporting such programs as the Summer Reading Program, Battle of the Books and Lego Creation Contest.
“George is a hero at the Bartlesville Public Library,” McGill said. “He has a heart for community service and a dedication to our Library. In addition to all of his other roles, he is a great friend to our Literacy Program, supporting us with his time and attention. He tutors both youth and adults, helping them to learn reading, comprehension and mathematics. He is unendingly caring and compassionate.
“George quietly changes lives. He is at our library day in and day out to teach, tutor, and support the patrons of our community, as well as the business needs of our Library. We are humbled and appreciative of all he does for our library and for our community.”
Photo: From left, George Halkiades, Shellie McGill, and Laura Pryce attend the 2022 Oklahoma Library Association Conference.