The Oregon Library Association (OLA) has honored Josephine Community Library Director Kate Lasky as its "2025 Librarian of the Year." Lasky received the award on Friday at the state library conference in Eugene.
Helping to present the award to Lasky was Curry County Public Library Director Jeremy Skinner, who was instrumental in Lasky's honor and has served with Lasky on OLA state committees. He said: "For many librarians in Oregon, Kate Lasky is a caring friend, a cheerleader and an inspiration." He called her "a role model."
Also helping to present the award and representing the local community were Josephine Community Library Foundation Director Rebecca Stoltz and Grants Pass Friends of the Library Co-chair Jennifer Roberts. Stoltz said: "Whether she's standing up to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, defending the freedom to read or helping a teen advisory board brainstorm their next big idea, Kate's north star is always the same: equitable access to knowledge, opportunity and community."
The state library banquet also featured the "Intellectual Freedom Champion" award, which was presented to Eva Pieper of the Grants Pass School District.
The Oregon Library Association is a statewide organization whose mission is to provide advocacy, education, leadership and collaboration to continually strengthen Oregon's libraries and the communities they serve.
