For immediate release: November 12, 2019<\/p>\n
Nichole Walters began volunteering for Douglas County Libraries (DCL) at its Highlands Ranch location in 2014. DCL is proud to announce that Walters was recently honored with the 2019 Outstanding Library Volunteer award from the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) at its annual conference in Loveland.<\/p>\n
CAL\u2019s Outstanding Volunteer award recognizes a current library volunteer who has provided exemplary service over a span of several years. Nominees are evaluated based on their length of service with a library, the impact of their efforts on library staff and users, and the uniqueness of their contributions.<\/p>\n
According to Highlands Ranch Branch Volunteer Coordinator Kim McClintock, Walters is well deserving of this award.<\/p>\n
\u201cNichole is always among the first to offer her help,\u201d said McClintock. \u201cShe has super-human stamina and is dauntless in the face of obstacles no matter how insurmountable they may seem. She does it all with a quiet dedication that touches lives but seeks no credit or recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Walters first started volunteering at DCL, she helped with the Summer Reading Program, the library\u2019s Simple Science series, Movin\u2019 & Groovin\u2019 Storytimes, the Technology Fair, and prepared crafts for library events. Her huge heart and giving spirit soon led her to become a lead volunteer with DCL\u2019s Homebound Delivery program, which delivers library materials to those in the community who are unable to visit the library in person due to illness or injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love working with the staff at Douglas County Libraries to help support the programs and resources that are available at all of our libraries,\u201d said Walters. \u201cI especially love to deliver books to my homebound patrons. We share a passion for learning and literature, and I am grateful that I can provide materials to them through DCL.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2018, Walters was also instrumental in processing donated materials for online sales through the library\u2019s used book storefront on Amazon. And when the Highlands Ranch branch closed for renovations in late 2018-early 2019, Walters drove 42 miles roundtrip weekly for nearly six months to continue the operation out of another DCL location.<\/p>\n
In addition, Walters\u2019 volunteer efforts have helped support the DCL Foundation, which provides Camp DCL scholarships for qualified kids ages 5-12, as well as literacy-based programs like Cuddle Up & Read, which introduces new parents to the library\u2019s early literacy services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are truly honored to have Nichole as a DCL volunteer!\u201d said McClintock.<\/p>\n
For information on volunteering at DCL and available opportunities, visit DCL.org\/volunteer<\/a> or volunteerconnectdc.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.<\/p>\n