Oregon Library Association Presented the 2023 Library Supporter of the Year Award to Karen Salman at Springfield Public Library

This award is given to a person or organization involved in various activities in Oregon on an unpaid basis. This may be as a volunteer, friend, board member, government official, or individual. The recipient has shown commitment to supporting and promoting Oregon libraries.

Karen Salman, the 2023 Oregon Library Supporter of the Year, has been volunteering at the Springfield Public Library for 25 years! Karen started in 1998 shelving books and today dedicates nearly 32 hours a week to the library, serving on the Friends of the Springfield Public Library and History Museum Board for the last 13 years, most recently as the treasurer and annual book sale coordinator. Karen not only volunteers as a Friend, but also helps the library process materials to get them ready for the community.

“Karen is such an inspiring woman. She is so innovative and hard-working,” said Library Technician Michele Tierney who is the staff liaison to the Friends and works closely with Karen. “Karen works at her desk in the back room and really listens to staff, who love to talk with her, and recognizes where help or ideas are needed. She is such a joy to work with. Her dedication and commitment to the library and library staff is unrivaled and the Springfield Community is so lucky to have her.”

The Library Supporter of the Year Award was presented on April 21, 2023, at the Oregon Library Association annual conference. The Springfield Public Library Staff surprised Ms. Salman, who doesn’t like the spotlight, with the nomination. She was overwhelmed with the surprise but when asked about her dedication to the library, she stated matter of factly, “I wouldn’t show up each day if I didn’t want to and if I didn’t feel good about what I’m doing.” Lucky for the Springfield Public Library, Karen Salman keeps showing up and making a difference.

The Oregon Library Association provides advocacy, education, leadership, and collaboration to continually strengthen Oregon’s libraries and the communities they serve. Over 1,000 librarians, library employees, and library supporters are part of the association.