For immediate release: October 6, 2025
Douglas County Libraries is proud to announce that Chris Brannock was recently honored with the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) at its annual conference in September. The award recognizes a volunteer currently serving in a Colorado library who has provided exemplary service over several years, and considers length of service, demonstrated impact on library users, and unique contributions.
“Chris has been an essential part of DCL’s volunteer program for the past 15 years. She has worn many hats, but her most significant contribution has been as the lead volunteer for Sensory Storytime,” said DCL Youth and Family Services Librarian Alex McCall, adding that Brannock has been an essential part of Sensory Storytime since its inception in 2012.
Sensory Storytime is a weekly program designed for adults with special needs. Along with library staff, Brannock completed specialized training to ensure she could best serve this unique population.
The program’s goal is to provide a welcoming, stable environment where participants can build lasting friendships. And according to McCall, Brannock has fully embraced that mission, becoming a steady presence in the program each week.
“Her dedication has helped foster strong, meaningful relationships with both participants and their caregivers,” McCall said.
DCL Youth and Family Services Supervisor Tina Schmidt recalled that she quickly realized the program would never have been as successful without Brannock. “Chris spends a lot of time curating relationships with the teens and adults coming to the program and with their families. This is very important to our attendees.”
“Chris is the face of the library for all the participants of Sensory Storytime, and they love her,” said Patrice Scheck, whose son Christopher attends Sensory Storytime at the Highlands Ranch library. “It was Chris who hatched the idea of making Christopher an official library volunteer. She graciously offered to be his support person during Storytime, and even arranged for him to have his own volunteer name tag.”
Scheck added, “She is a volunteer because her service to them is without price.”
Brannock’s volunteerism goes beyond Sensory Storytime. She can also be found volunteering for the library’s summer reading registration and events, sorting donations, working with the Second Chapter Used Bookstore, processing materials, and much more.
For information on DCL’s volunteer services and becoming a volunteer, visit DCL.org/volunteer.
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