Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library Named 2007 Federal Depository Library of the Year

Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library, in O'Fallon, Missouri, has been named the 2007 Federal Depository Library of the Year. Each year, the U.S. Government Printing Office selects one Federal depository library for its outstanding service to the American public and the promotion of Federal Government information. Public Printer Robert C. Tapella presented the award to Deputy Director Betty Murr at the Fall DLC Meeting and Conference held in Arlington, VA.

“It is an honor to present the library with this award. The Middendorf-Kredell Library has demonstrated great leadership in the ever changing digital age by creating an online forum twelve years ago for the public to access Government information,” said Public Printer Robert C. Tapella.

A selective Federal depository library since 1990, Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library is part of the St. Charles City-County Library District. Their creativity and innovation has led to the development of various programs that readily and easily bring Federal information to a very broad base of the local community.

"A well-informed electorate is indispensable to the American form of government. You and your staff have established a standard of excellence that will not soon be eclipsed, and in doing so, you have also strengthened the very foundations of the freedoms that we now enjoy. Congratulations on your fine work!", said Congressman W. Todd Akin.

Middendorf-Kredell was among the first Federal depository libraries to establish an online Web site to enhance their ability to reach the public. This includes their creation of "Uncle Sam for Kids", which was the first of its kind in the country to help kids obtain Federal information for school assignments. Their Community & Market Analysis program has been successful in providing a free, customized analysis for any address for businesses interested in relocation or expanding in the area. Additionally, Anne Sylvan, information resource manager for documents at the Middendorf-Kredell Branch, developed a protocol to directly batch-upload government documents, instead of sending them out to a third party to be catalogued. Last year, the library uploaded 18,500 electronic government records. Library patrons can search the records by author, title, subject or keywords.

"We're certainly not the largest depository, so I like to think that our recognition is tied to our strength of getting library services out to the broader community,” said St. Charles City-County Library District Director Carl R. Sandstedt. “We have tried for years to "knock" the walls out of our buildings and push services throughout the area. We are simply much more proactive in the delivery of services than most public libraries.”