Bertrand, Nebraska, librarian first in state to receive I Love My Librarian Award

Stephanie Dannehl recognized with prestigious national public service honor\

CHICAGO – Stephanie Dannehl, school librarian/tech integration specialist at Bertrand Community School, is one of only 10 librarians nationwide selected to receive an I Love My Librarian Award. The first-ever Nebraska librarian to receive the honor, she is recognized for her leadership and commitment to transforming lives through education. 

Dannehl was nominated by a colleague who noted that she brings innovative technology to students, including mixed reality and 3D design, and engages the larger community in the learning process. She has developed a program to bring in Bertrand residents to serve as guest readers and also teaches students’ families new technology skills year-round.

Inspired to pursue her career path early in life when a librarian paid special attention to her as a child, Dannehl has paid it forward, making a difference in the lives of those who visit her library. She has also transformed the library itself, assisting in the design and planning of the library renovation.

Dannehl brings a new dimension to her state-of-the-art library through after-school STEM enrichment and education activities, which include using the 3D holographic image technology Hypervision, teaching students to make QR codes and creating 3D shapes using the Morphi app.

The American Library Association (ALA) receives I Love My Librarian Award nominations from the general public that showcase the lasting contributions of dynamic librarians working in public, school, college, community college and university libraries. This year library users nationwide submitted 1,974 detailing how their favorite librarians have gone above and beyond to improve community members’ lives.
Since the award’s inception in 2008, ALA has selected up to 10 librarians from a pool of hundreds of nominations. This year’s award winners will each receive a $5,000 cash prize, a plaque and a travel stipend to attend the I Love

My Librarian Award ceremony in Philadelphia on Jan. 25, 2020, at 3 p.m. during ALA’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits. The event will be streamed via Facebook Live at . 
Over the last decade, library supporters have shared more than 19,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond to connect them to information, educational opportunities and critical technology. Information regarding previous award winners, can be found on the I Love My Librarian website at

Carnegie Corporation of New York generously sponsors the I Love My Librarian Award. The New York Public Library and the New York Times are award co-sponsors. The ALA administers the award through ALA’s Communications and Marketing Office, which promotes the value of libraries and librarians. 

About Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation’s work focuses on the issues that Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of our democracy.

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves nearly 17 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.