Mayor Lovely Warren announced Monday that the Rochester Public Library was named one of 10 Top Innovators during the 2016 Urban Libraries Council Annual Forum Awards Ceremony.
The event took place last fall in Kansas City, when the Library was selected from nearly 300 submissions in 10 categories that show the value and impact of public library service.
"This recognition is proof that we have a great staff who are constantly striving to create innovative and beneficial programming for our residents and businesses," Warren said. "One of the key services they provide is helping people with their job searches and helping businesses achieve success."
The Rochester Public library won in the category of Workforce and Economic Development. Warren said this achievement is especially celebrated, because the Library's Business Division implemented a three-point service delivery concept, by providing services on-site, online and at the library.
The Business Division staff focuses on market and venture capital research, small business development and grant funding, with one expert librarian assigned to each topic.
Currently, one librarian is embedded at Eastman Business Park and another librarian curates business classes that, officials said, regularly attract hundreds of people every year.
