Geneva Public Library has received two national honors from the American Library Association (ALA), earning recognition for both its innovative fundraising campaign and its community-wide reading initiative.
At the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, Geneva Public Library was named a recipient of the prestigious John Cotton Dana Award for its Fund the Journey: Library Access for All campaign. The Library also received a PR Xchange Award for its One Book, One Community Guide in the Reading Programs category.
The John Cotton Dana Award is widely regarded as the highest honor in library public relations and marketing, recognizing strategic communication campaigns that demonstrate measurable results and community impact. The award honors outstanding library public relations efforts nationwide and includes a development grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation.
Geneva Public Library's award-winning Fund the Journey: Library Access for All campaign was created to support the purchase and outfitting of a dedicated outreach vehicle that will expand access to library services for residents who face barriers to visiting the Library. Through compelling storytelling, community partnerships, donor engagement, and a focus on equity and inclusion, the campaign highlighted the Library's commitment to bringing resources, programs, and connections directly into the community.
"This recognition is a testament to the power of community support and our belief that library services should be accessible to everyone," said Christine Lazaris, Director. "Fund the Journey was about more than a vehicle. It was about ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to connect with the resources, services, and experiences that enrich lives."
In addition to the John Cotton Dana Award, Geneva Public Library received a 2026 PR Xchange Award for its One Book, One Community Guide, which promotes the Library's annual community reading initiative. The PR Xchange Awards recognize the best library marketing and public relations materials produced across North America and are judged by professionals in communications, design, and marketing.
“One of the greatest privileges of our work is telling Geneva's story. Every campaign is an opportunity to celebrate the people, partnerships, and shared values that make this community so special. We're honored to represent Geneva on the national stage and grateful for the opportunity to share the stories that reflect the heart of our Library and our community,” said PR Coordinator Chaz Baechler.