Outside partnerships are a key to Lauren Ginsberg DeVilbiss’ efforts to engage the students at the Wright Brothers School in New York City. For years, she has created and grown high interest programs such as the school’s Book of the Month program featuring author talks and a career week that invites an array of professionals to speak to students, as well as created an inclusive environment for students to thrive, learn and feel welcome.

As the school’s library media specialist and sustainability coordinator, Ginsberg DeVilbiss has focused several of her initiatives on sustainability. In one partnership with Savannah Bee Company owner Ted Dennard, the library received a digital beehive, sparking conversations and lessons about pollinators, sustainability, food and the importance of bees. In another partnership with local organization Harlem Grown and with the help of grant funding, the school is working to grow a community garden.

Ginsberg DeVilbiss was selected from more than 1,500 nominations from library users nationwide for the 2023 award. As part of her award, she will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend ALA's LibLearnX event in New Orleans.

The I Love My Librarian Award is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional support from the New York Public Library. Since 2008, library users have shared more than 23,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond to promote literacy, expand access to technology, and support diversity and inclusion in their communities.