2025 WLA AWARDS & HONORS

WLA/Demco® Librarian of the Year – Alison Loewen

Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

The Wisconsin Library Association and DEMCO are proud to honor Alison Loewen, Children’s Librarian at Mead Public Library, as the 2025 Librarian of the Year. Alison is an innovative and collaborative leader whose joyful approach to early literacy has transformed how families and communities engage with learning.

Alison’s leadership is both visionary and practical. She co-leads PBS Wisconsin Education’s statewide library cohort, training more than 115 librarians to integrate playful learning strategies into their programs, reaching nearly 3,000 families statewide. Through her Ready, Set, 4K initiative—funded by a Kohler Foundation grant—she distributed over 400 school readiness backpacks, each thoughtfully designed to build caregiver confidence and close opportunity gaps for young learners.

Her impact extends well beyond library walls. Alison helped launch a Born Learning Trail with United Way, created a Farmers Market Booklet to inspire literacy-rich family adventures, and earned the City of Sheboygan Working Together Award for her commitment to youth wellness and community partnerships.

Colleagues and partners praise her unique ability to bring people together around a shared vision. Kathryn McKillip, principal of Sheboygan’s Early Learning Center, credits Alison with helping launch a new Maker’s Space, designing collaborative family learning events like “Work It Out Wombats,” and leading meaningful field trips for 4K students that made many children’s first library visit “welcoming, educational, and memorable”.

As Deputy Director Melissa Prentice notes, Alison “exemplifies the highest standards of librarianship,” combining research-based practice with authentic community listening. Her leadership in early literacy programming, from statewide training to local engagement, is matched only by her deep care for the families she serves. She is also a WLA Youth Services Section board member, a national PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion, and a trusted thought partner in state and national library networks.

Alison’s work reflects the best of Wisconsin librarianship: innovative, inclusive, and rooted in collaboration. Her joyful energy, generosity of spirit, and unwavering dedication to children and families have made a lasting impact on Sheboygan and across the state.

The Wisconsin Library Association and DEMCO is proud to recognize Alison Loewen as the 2025 Librarian of the Year.

WLA Library of the Year – Appleton Public Library

Appleton, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Library Association is proud to honor Appleton Public Library (APL) as the 2025 Library of the Year. Through visionary leadership, extraordinary community partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to inclusion, APL has transformed both its physical space and its role as a cornerstone of civic life.

In February 2025, after nearly two decades of planning and perseverance, Appleton Public Library opened its new $40 million facility, made possible through public funding and a $12 million from more than 600 donors. The result is a light-filled, and inclusive space that reflects the community’s values and priorities.

APL’s achievement is even more remarkable given the two relocations during construction. Through these disruptions, staff delivered exceptional service with minimal interruption, relocating programs to parks, schools, nonprofits, coffee shops, and partner spaces. They built new audiences, launched initiatives like the City of Appleton Poet Laureate Program, and piloted pop-up coworking programs with local businesses.

Since reopening, the library’s impact has been profound. On opening day, more than 2,300 people celebrated the new space despite a snowstorm. In just five months, APL recorded 173,000 visits, 299,283 checkouts, 6,548 new cardholders, and over 5,000 bookings for study rooms, meeting spaces, and creation studios. Its design reflects deep community input and a commitment to accessibility, with a sensory room, gender-inclusive restrooms with adult changing tables, hearing loops, and welcoming spaces like the coworking hub and the Unconference Room.

As Mayor Jacob A. Woodford notes, APL’s ability to manage complex logistics while maintaining exceptional service “is a testament to their professionalism, resilience, creativity, and community focus”. Council President Katie Van Zeeland calls the library “a living, breathing expression of our community’s values” and praises its “radically inclusive space” that welcomes everyone—from entrepreneurs to caregivers, seniors, immigrants, and children with disabilities.

APL’s leadership extends beyond Appleton. As a key member of WiLS, SRLAAW, and the City Library Collective cohort, APL serves as a model of collaborative, future-focused public service for libraries statewide.

With its bold vision, resilient leadership, and unwavering commitment to equity and access, Appleton Public Library embodies the best of Wisconsin libraries.

The Wisconsin Library Association is honored to recognize Appleton Public Library as the 2025 Library of the Year.

WLA Paralibrarian of the Year – Jennifer Melchi

Burlington Public Library, Burlington, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Library Association proudly honors Jennifer Melchi of the Burlington Public Library as the 2025 Paralibrarian of the Year. Jen exemplifies the best of paralibrarianship—creativity, innovation, deep community engagement, and a spirit of generosity that enriches both her library and the wider community.

Jen’s work reflects extraordinary impact. She plans and manages more than 200 programs annually, reaching over 2,000 participants, all on a modest budget. Her programs are as diverse as they are meaningful: sound baths, Medicare education, author visits, book clubs, yoga and meditation, cognitive wellness workshops, walking groups, and outreach to senior care facilities. She has built strong community partnerships, including collaborations with the Historical Society, the Garden Club, and local businesses to create initiatives like a seed library and library outreach at festivals and farmers markets.

Jen is also known for her commitment to innovation and access. She brings the library to people—whether through book bike visits, neighborhood walks, memory care outreach, or subscription book boxes. She turns ordinary interactions into moments of connection, learning patrons’ names, interests, and stories. When she noticed regular patrons in need of extra support, she quietly helped organized a hot soup lunch to nourish both body and community.

Her colleagues and patrons alike testify to her exceptional contributions. Dawn Haggerty praises Jen’s “unwavering commitment, skill, and warmth,” highlighting how she takes program ideas from concept to reality and makes everyone feel seen and supported. Shirley Datzer-Fell notes her “I can do it” attitude, her outreach efforts, and her ability to make every patron—from children to seniors—feel welcome, whether she’s leading bingo, hosting history talks, or bringing out Sheldon the library tortoise for a visit. Library Director Joe Davies describes her as “one of the finest librarians I’ve worked with,” praising her ability to lead, innovate, and create an environment of kindness and excellence—all without a formal MLIS degree.

Jen’s leadership extends beyond programs. She actively participates in fundraising and community-building efforts tied to Burlington Public Library’s future expansion and seeks professional development to bring fresh ideas back to her community. Her dedication reflects both the heart and future of library service.

For her creativity, outreach, leadership, and unwavering care, Jennifer Melchi stands as an outstanding example of what paralibrarians bring to Wisconsin libraries every day.

The Wisconsin Library Association is proud to name Jennifer Melchi as the 2025 Paralibrarian of the Year.

WLA Special Service Award – Teri DeVoe

Associate Deputy Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

The Wisconsin Library Association is proud to present the 2025 Special Service Award to Teri DeVoe, Associate Deputy Director at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in recognition of her extraordinary leadership, resilience, and service to libraries in Wisconsin and across the nation.

A Wisconsin native and UW–Madison alumna, Teri has spent her career strengthening libraries through federal support, national leadership, and a deep understanding of local impact. In her role overseeing the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States Program, Teri has helped ensure that funding reaches Wisconsin libraries of every size—from rural branches to tribal libraries to large urban systems—supporting programs like BadgerLink, WISCAT, interlibrary loan services, teen internships, continuing education, and inclusive programming.

Her leadership was most visible during a time of national crisis. In March 2025, following the executive order to dismantle IMLS, Teri was one of only 12 staff recalled to keep the agency functioning. She assumed responsibility for coordinating funding for all 50 states and U.S. territories. Her swift action and extraordinary communication ensured Wisconsin received partial and then full awards, allowing the Department of Public Instruction and library systems to maintain programming without interruption.

Teri’s impact on professional development and statewide service is profound. IMLS funds have enabled Wisconsin library systems to offer Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference, Trustee Training Week, and Tech Days, programming, as well as conference scholarships for hundreds of Wisconsin library staff to attend state and national events. These initiatives have strengthened the profession statewide and elevated Wisconsin’s leadership on the national stage.

Her efforts are recognized across Wisconsin. The Nicolet Federated Library System praised Teri’s role in preserving critical funding that supported tribal library participation in Culture Keepers Conference and innovative workforce development through the JobPod pilot, transforming libraries into workforce hubs in rural communities.

The Milwaukee County Federated Library System highlighted her role in bringing the LSTA Grants to States Conference to Milwaukee, spotlighting Wisconsin’s leadership nationwide. Teri’s work enabled local libraries to expand broadband access, launch digital literacy initiatives, strengthen workforce development programs, and enhance inclusive collections for Milwaukee’s richly diverse communities.

Through times of both opportunity and crisis, Teri DeVoe has been a steadfast ally, advocate, and innovator. Her actions have had tangible, statewide impact—ensuring stability, supporting innovation, and uplifting the work of countless Wisconsin library professionals.

For her exceptional service, national leadership, and profound impact on Wisconsin libraries, the Wisconsin Library Association proudly honors Teri DeVoe with the 2025 Special Service Award.

WLA Muriel Fuller Award – Jamie Matczak

Wisconsin Valley Library Service, Wausau

The Wisconsin Library Association is proud to honor Jamie Matczak, Education Consultant at Wisconsin Valley Library Service, with the 2025 Muriel Fuller Award. A trusted leader, educator, and innovator, Jamie has spent nearly two decades expanding opportunities for library staff and communities across Wisconsin. Her influence reaches far beyond her system—touching nearly every corner of the state’s library landscape.

Jamie’s work has transformed professional development for library workers. She is the visionary behind the Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference, now a 15-year statewide training tradition, and the Wisconsin Trustee Training Week, which has strengthened governance and leadership at libraries throughout the state. Her coordination of continuing education opportunities, marketing collaborations, and speaker engagement has created a vibrant learning culture for hundreds of public library staff each year. In 2014, she was one of 12 continuing education coordinators in the country selected to participate in WebJunction's Online Course Designer Program.

A skilled educator and communicator, Jamie has also taught courses at the UW–Madison iSchool since 2014, generously sharing her expertise on communication, outreach, and customer service. Jamie credits much of this expertise from opportunities to attend and actively participate in nearly 60 professional library conferences in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. Over the course of her 19-year-career as a public library consultant, she has given over 100 presentations for librarians throughout Wisconsin and the country. In the past 18 months alone, she has delivered more than a dozen customer service and leadership presentations, incorporating strategies from ZingTrain and Disney Institute trainings to help libraries reimagine service with creativity and care. 

Jamie is widely recognized for her collaborative spirit and her ability to make professional learning accessible, relevant, and fun. As colleague Kari Sweeney noted, “She continuously seeks unique professional development opportunities so she can provide a different perspective in her customer service trainings and workshops. Her ability to ‘think outside the box’ helps prepare the next generation of library leaders”.

Her colleagues also praise her leadership in statewide consultant groups and WLA committees, noting her skill in keeping teams focused, organized, and inspired. As Jean Anderson and Leah Langby wrote, “One of the reasons our collaborations work so well is that Jamie applies her inimitable combination of a no-nonsense approach with compassion for her coworkers and for the library workers we serve”.

Jamie’s leadership in marketing, continuing education, and library advocacy has advanced Wisconsin libraries in lasting ways. Her ability to blend vision with action, and innovation with care, exemplifies the qualities the Muriel Fuller Award was created to honor.

The Wisconsin Library Association is proud to present the 2025 Muriel Fuller Award to Jamie Matczak.

WLA/WEMTA Intellectual Freedom Award – Jone Davis

Northland Pines School District, Eagle River

The Wisconsin Library Association and Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association are proud to honor Jone Davis, Library Director for the Northland Pines School District, with the 2025 Intellectual Freedom Award. Jone is a courageous and principled defender of students’ right to read and to access a wide range of ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

Jone has demonstrated remarkable leadership during a period of heightened book challenges in her district. Over the past two years, she has faced multiple attempts to restrict access to library materials and has responded with transparency, professionalism, and grace. Collaborating with administrators and her school board, she helped create an updated, streamlined book challenge policy that ensures parental involvement while upholding the intellectual freedom rights of all students.

Her calm, thoughtful advocacy has had measurable results. Out of numerous challenges, only two titles were removed—because she stood firm on policy, engaged the community respectfully, and championed the library’s mission to provide access to diverse voices and stories. Her work has turned what could have been contentious conflicts into opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and trust.

Jone’s collection development philosophy is guided by the principle that libraries must offer “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors”—a commitment to ensuring every student can see themselves reflected in literature while learning about others. She is also a statewide resource for other librarians, generously mentoring colleagues who face similar challenges in their communities.

As Emily Dittmar, Muskego High School Librarian, wrote in her letter of support, “Jone has made sure that policy fits the needs of her community without impeding on the intellectual freedom of the rest of the patrons of Northland Pines School District”. Her leadership embodies the values this award seeks to honor: courage, professionalism, and a steadfast belief in the power of equitable access to information.

The Wisconsin Library Association and WEMTA are proud to recognize Jone Davis as the recipient of the 2025 Intellectual Freedom Award.