PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5 January 2018
For more information, contact Library Director Dan Hutchins, 269-423-4771

PHOTO: (left to right) Molly Wunderlich, VBDL Assistant Director; Library Director Dan Hutchins; Emily Leestma, VBDL Children’s Librarian

VAN BUREN DISTRICT LIBRARY NAMES EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR FOR 2017

DECATUR, MICHIGAN – – – -Van Buren District Library is recognizing two staff members for their achievements during the past year. Assistant Director Molly Wunderlich and Children’s Librarian Emily Leestma are being honored as VBDL Employees of 2017.

Library Director Dan Hutchins credits Wunderlich for continuing to move the library forward while serving as interim director for four months.

“Molly did much more than simply keep the doors open,” Hutchins says. “She not only served with expertise and poise, she laid the foundation for many new developments that will reach fruition this year. Molly’s dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated and deserving of recognition.”

Hutchins attributes the growth of VBDL’s children’s programs to Leestma, who is responsible for creating unity and consistency in the district’s early literacy activities.

“Emily built our current program of children’s services from the ground up by conducting research, building relationships, developing standards, and aligning our programs with literacy and education while keeping them entertaining. Her creativity and commitment to the library’s youngest patrons are exemplary.”

Each recipient receives a certificate of appreciation and monetary gift from the Friends of the Van Buren District Library.

Van Buren District Library is headquartered at Webster Memorial Library in Decatur, with branches in Bangor, Bloomingdale, Covert, Gobles, Lawrence and Mattawan.

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