Posted January 4, 2017
With more than 12 years of service in the Children's Room, Heather McCue ('96, '07 MLIS) has become a familiar face at Richland Library. Now, her work at the library is garnering statewide attention. McCue has been named the 2016 South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) Outstanding Librarian. She was presented with the honor during the SCLA annual conference in Downtown Columbia in November.
The award recognizes a librarian who has created a popular and impactful resource, service or program that has drawn attention to libraries. It also shines a light on an excellence in leadership as well as promotion of the profession through teaching or influence.
"With so many outstanding librarians in our community and across our state, I am truly honored to have been recognized by SCLA with this award," said McCue. "Being an early literacy advocate, sharing stories, putting books in the hands of children and working for social justice for all families in our community are what I am passionate about and what I get to do every day at Richland Library. This recognition encourages me to dream bigger and work harder, and it lets me know that I am making a difference."
McCue’s involvement in the creation of Growing Savers earned her the award. The program includes a series of workshops on children- and family-friendly financial literacy made possible through grant funding from the American Library Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. McCue has integrated Growing Savers throughout the community with theater performances and other entertainment promoting financial literacy. Her involvement and interests in early literacy earned her a 2015 Mover and Shaker award as a "Change Agent." Read more»
In addition to her work with Growing Savers, McCue also initiated a partnership between Richland Library and USC’s Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities to establish an internship for a Master in Social Work student. These interns are hired and trained to assist library patrons with everything from obtaining bus passes to locating family shelter services.
Amanda Reed, an associate at Richland Library, nominated McCue for the honor. She believes her colleague was an obvious choice.
“This librarian is the total superstar package,” Reed says. “She sings, she dances, she acts. But more importantly, she is kind, empathetic and a true innovator.”
In addition to accepting the honor in front of her peers, McCue also received an engraved plaque and a $2,500 gift from Gumdrop Books to purchase materials for Richland Library.