Lynda Freas Honored for Exceptional Work in Children’s Service

Anythink Family Services Director Lynda Freas has been awarded the 2012 Peggy Sullivan Award by the American Library Association. The award is presented annually to an individual in a library administrator role who has shown exceptional understanding and support of public library service to children.

Throughout her career, Freas has dedicated her life to improving the lives of children and families through education and innovative library service. She has been instrumental to the evolution of Anythink’s service by mentoring staff, reinventing the district’s summer reading program, and bringing unique opportunities to children and families in the communities Anythink serves.

“Lynda has brought some tremendous programs for our families and children,” says Anythink Director Pam Sandlian Smith. “She has a thoughtful, quiet manner, but is a powerhouse member of our Anythink team. She is so deserving of this award for her work throughout her career. She has always been on the side of our children.”

Freas has made significant contributions to children and families over the span of her career, which includes service as a state consultant, children’s librarian, adjunct professor, school library director and public services director. Her efforts in research and writing on the role of the school library in academic success provided groundbreaking documentation regarding school libraries. She also led the design and building of the libraries for Colorado Academy during her directorship.

In her current role as family services director, she’s become synonymous with innovation. She championed the library’s transition from Dewey to WordThink, Anythink’s word-based classification system used district-wide. Her passion for family services led Anythink to become the first Family Place Library^TM in Colorado, with its components now in all Anythink locations. She was also a key member in reimagining the district’s summer reading program, mySummer: Read Think Do, which transformed the traditional summer reading program into one of hands-on programming that creates many family memories. Further, Freas is spearheading the development of Nature Explore outdoor classrooms at Anythink, which will give kids a unique opportunity to connect with nature in a creative way.

Freas will be recognized at the ALA Annual Conference on Sunday, June 24, in Anaheim, Calif., alongside Sandlian Smith, recent recipient of the Charlie Robinson Award.