On April 12, the Library Endowment Trust will present for the first time an award named in honor of a former library director who served the Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County faithfully for 28 years.

Lee B. Brawner served as executive director of Oklahoma County’s Metropolitan Library System from 1971 to 1999. During his tenure in office, Brawner was among the founding members of several library and community programs, including a reading program that reached thousands of children each summer, a nationally recognized MLS Friends of the Library support group, and a statewide Friends of the Library group for Oklahoma.

Known nationally for his expertise in planning and building libraries (he consulted on more than 140 of them across the USA), Brawner has also been recognized over the years for being a conservative fiscal planner and administrator. In 2000, the Metropolitan Library System was ranked as one of the six top library systems for "efficiency in service delivery" out of 44 of America’s largest cities. Brawner has also played an integral part in the new planning and building of the new Downtown Library and Learning Center, which is set to open in Fall of 2003.

On April 12, Brawner will be recognized in a ceremony at the Petroleum Club where he will be presented the first Lee B. Brawner Lifetime Achievement Award. Named in his honor, the award will be given periodically to "someone who has made an impactful difference on the community through his or her

dedication to achieving and enhancing excellence in libraries," according to Metropolitan Library System Director of Development Ernestine Clark.

"In September of 2000, Library Endowment trustees Karleen Krywucki and John Paschal, the current and past presidents of the Trust, began discussing a dream of theirs to create an author event connected with the library system," said Clark. "Something for the community to enjoy."

But the two also wanted to create an award that would bring well-earned attention to citizens who have demonstrated inspired and devoted leadership or volunteer hours towards the advancement of libraries, library related events, programs or library support organizations.

Qualities that will be looked for in potential recipients include:

* an awareness of the importance of educating the community via free public libraries.

* an ability to lead, encourage, motivate and enjoy the respect of his/her peers.

* an innovative and progressive approach to public libraries.

* a strong support of literacy for all age groups.

* a celebration of diversity.

* an ethical spirit and character.

In summation, the person awarded the Lee B. Brawner Lifetime Achievement Award will always be a true champion of libraries.

Who better to name the award after, and present the first one to, than the man who guided public library service in central Oklahoma for 28 years, Lee B. Brawner himself?

"Knowing that a new Downtown Library and Learning Center would soon grace the heart of thedowntown area," Clark continued, "these two trustees began working towards the Trust sponsoring that type of event. By 2001, a committee was formed. They wanted the evening to celebrate the opening of the new Downtown Library and to highlight National Library Week."

Since the event is a celebration of success, it was decided to bring in a speaker known for his good humor. Comedy, after all, is one of Brawner’s loves – he performed stand-up to help finance his way through college – so the trustees invited syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry to be the keynote speaker.

Brawner and his wife, Nancy, his son, Alan, his daughter, Betsy, and their respective families will be present at the April 12 event to celebrate along with many friends and community supporters. "I am deeply honored to have been selected by the Library Endowment Trust for the launching of such a wonderful award," said Brawner. "There are many in our community who deserve recognition for library support and advocacy. I plan to be there, applauding, when some of them are honored in the future."

The Library Endowment Trust 2003 Author Event and presentation of the first Lee B. Brawner Lifetime Achievement Award will held on April 12 at The Petroleum Club. The evening begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and Barry’s talk. Tickets for An Evening With Dave Barry are $75 each, with proceeds going to benefit the Metropolitan Library System.

Call (405) 231.8630 for reservations or more information.

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and six extension libraries. Branch libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Downtown, Ralph Ellison & Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, The Village and Warr Acres libraries. Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and also include Spencer and the Wright libraries in Oklahoma City.