One of the best: Librarian awarded by New York Times


GUILDERLAND – Maria Buhl says that, for her, "Every day is like a treasure hunt."

Buhl is an adult-services librarian at the Guilderland Public Library.

No two days at the library are the same, she said. Some days, the questions are routine, and fairly simple, and other days, the questions require some research, she said. That’s the exciting part.

Buhl was among 25 winners of the 2006 New York Times Librarian Award.

The Guilderland Public Library has exceptional programs and staff, said board of trustees President Robert Ganz.

Ganz was a driving force behind Buhl’s award – he nominated her.

She has a great attitude of helpfulness toward library patrons, Ganz said about Buhl, adding that she has done many good things for the library.
"I thought Maria’s work warranted recognition," he said.
Buhl was one of 1,300 nominees. "Just being nominated was an honor," she said.
Winning, though, "was a completely unexpected thing," she told The Enterprise.

Winners enjoyed a reception at the historic New York Times building in Times Square in New York City on Dec. 13. All the winners received $2,500 and a commemorative plaque for themselves, and a separate plaque for their library.

All the winners attended the ceremony and came from across the country, Buhl said. She was accompanied at the reception by her husband, her father, her son, and Ganz.
"It was humbling and inspiring," she said of the ceremony, and the chance to hear what other librarians in other parts of the country are doing.

It was really nice to be recognized by such a well-respected newspaper, Buhl said.

Buhl took a round-about journey to become a librarian. She worked in publishing for many years, she told The Enterprise. She also worked in the features department at the Times Union.

While pregnant, and on maternity leave, Buhl said, she took up freelance writing. She researched and wrote about children’s health and development issues. She did much of her research, she said, at the library at Albany Medical Center.

A librarian there urged Buhl to become a librarian, telling her about the opportunities to pursue areas of interest to her.

Buhl went back to school and received a master’s degree from the University at Albany, which has a nationally-recognized library program.

Pursuing her interests led Buhl to start two largely successful programs at the Guilderland library – one fostering adult literacy and the other providing health information.

Buhl became a medical information specialist, Ganz said.

The health-information program ensures that understandable medical information is accessible to library patrons, he told The Enterprise, stressing that the librarians do not give medical advice; only distribute information and answer questions.

The adult literacy program helps teach English to individuals in the community who do not speak English as their first language. The library has created the time, the space, and the budget for this program, Ganz said.
Guilderland’s public library, Ganz said, has grown and developed over the years. It is "not merely a collection of books, but a center for the community."
Buhl’s award "also recognizes the library itself," she said.
"It’s incredible the variety of interactions every day," Buhl said.

Without the help and support of her colleagues, she said, this recognition would not have been possible.
"It’s really important to have a team working together," she said, adding that she doesn’t think the award will change how she does her job.