Boone, IA
At Ericson Public Library in Boone, Iowa, Zachary Stier—or as his many fans call him, Mr. Z—has transformed the library into a launchpad for discovery by connecting literacy with science and creating opportunities for learners of all ages, while doing it all with infectious warmth and humor. During his 15-year tenure, he has created original programs and helped forge more than 50 partnerships that bring Boone’s 12,500 residents the kind of world-class library experience that every child deserves.
Stier was the co-mastermind of the library’s popular Little Engines project, a program that supports early learning by providing access to fun, educational, and interactive family engagement activities using the reading-tracking program Beanstack. Little Engines has resulted in “tens of thousands of additional minutes spent reading,” according to one nominator.
Stier’s passion for education extends beyond the walls of Ericson Public Library. His Activating Community Voices program brings together experts, community leaders, and librarians to tackle everything from STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning to loneliness and mental health. Speakers not only share their expertise, they show firsthand how libraries can repair our social fabric. Participants leave with strategies for change, a renewed sense of hope, and a deep appreciation for libraries’ role in learning, community building, and democracy.
“Mr. Z has become a cornerstone of our community, creating a welcoming space where children and parents come together to learn, imagine, and grow,” wrote one of his nominators. “His work fosters not only a love of reading, but also a sense of belonging and connection that strengthens the community as a whole.”
Stier was selected from more than 1,300 nominations from library users nationwide for the 2026 award. As part of his award, he will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend ALA’s Annual Conference in Chicago.
The I Love My Librarian Award is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional support from the New York Public Library, and is administered by the American Library Association. Since 2008, library users have shared more than 25,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond to promote literacy, expand access to technology, and support diversity and inclusion in their communities.
