Weedsport teacher aide Alicia Grady has been awarded the 2023 Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES School Library System Library Supporter Award! The award goes to someone who makes a significant contribution to the education of children through support of school libraries.

“Alicia is always willing to help me deliver quality library services and instruction to students and staff,” said District Library Media Specialist Aja Hahn.

One Weedsport student described Grady as “amazing,” explaining she always knows what students are interested in and what they like to read.

“Alicia promotes reading, learning, and the love of reading daily through reading programs, displays, and direct one-to-one interactions with students,” added Hahn. “She exemplifies that quality and passion for serving our students.”

Recipients of the award must support and enhance library programs, advance the goals of the library media center, and strengthen and promote the image of the library media center. Grady said upon hearing her name called for the award, she was in total shock.

“Listening to the wonderful words Aja said about me, and especially hearing it through a student’s eyes, was priceless,” explained Grady. “My goal to take interest in the students, grow those connections with them and provide them with the best books for them, has been, and will remain my main goal of each day.”

Grady was presented with the award at the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Librarian Administrator Breakfast on April 17th. The week of April 23rd-29th marks National Library Week.