Awards

 

Woman of the Year 2012

Retired Library Director Darby O’Brien was one of three recipients of the Woman of the Year award for 2012, given each October by the Mohawk Valley Chapter of New York State Women Inc. Recipients were honored at a dinner on October 23rd at the Radisson Hotel.

Darby was director of the library from 1990, retiring in 2017.

Darby still serves on the boards of the Thea Bowman House, DeSales Center and the Parkway Center. She is active in the Utica Rotary Club and is a graduate of Leadership Mohawk Valley. Her degrees include a Bachelor’s in English Literature from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Library Science from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and a Master of Science in Organizational Management from Central Connecticut State University.

Utica Public Library board member Sonia Martinez was also one of the award recipients. Sonia was instrumental in establishing the Mohawk Valley Latino Association and continues to work actively on the organization’s behalf. She also serves on several area boards and is employed by The Utica City School District.

 

Business of the Year 2012

The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce named the library its Non-Profit Business of the Year at a luncheon on December 13th at Twin Ponds County Club. The award was for the category of non-profits with less than 50 employees.

Awards are given in four categories, and are meant to recognize businesses that have demonstrated “staying power,” commitment to the Mohawk Valley and to the Chamber of Commerce. Businesses must be nominated for the awards and are selected through a committee process.

Acting Library Director Darby O’Brien, now retired, accepted the award on behalf of the library and encouraged attendees to read to children.