February 3, 2006 - Keystone Systems is pleased to announce Kathy Evans as the winner of this year's Julie Klauber Award.
Evans is the Branch Manager for the East Hall Branch and Special Needs Library in Gainesville, Georgia. The award is named after Julie Klauber who was a national expert and leader on disability issues and instrumental in helping develop Keystone's growing national presence. It is granted to a staff member or volunteer who works with KLAS, has shown outstanding service during his/her time with the library, and will appreciate and benefit from attending the KLAS Users Conference.
Evans started with the Hall County Special Needs Library in 1999. Her outside activites include participating in the Hall County Chapter for the Visually Impaired. Lisa MacKinney, an Assistant Director of the Hall County Library System, says Evans "has reorganized her branch library to dedicate specific space to special needs patrons including a meeting room that houses special needs equipment in an easily navigated, consistent space."
Evans also participates in the "All Ways Welcome" program as a trainer offering free workshops throughout the community. MacKinney says the program teaches the importance of physical accessibility in public and business venues and "discusses the ways disabled individuals can be accommodated as customers and workers, and how valuable they can be". "Kathy sees her work with special needs patrons as her calling, not just a job," states MacKinney.
As this year's recipient Evans receives Delta airline tickets to Salt Lake City, hotel accommodations, and conference registration for the 2006 KLAS Users' Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. The Julie Klauber Award Committee members selected Evans after consideration of six nominated individuals.
