The North Dakota Library Association (NDLA) awarded City Commissioner Nancy Guy the 2021 Library Champion Award during their Annual Conference Award Banquet on October 7, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The NDLA presents the Library Champion Award to an individual in a federal, state, city, or county leadership position who has supported or advocated for a library or libraries in North Dakota. NDLA members nominate individuals for the award, and NDLA’s Legislative Committee chooses award recipients.

“I am honored to receive the Library Champion Award from the ND Library Association,” said City Commissioner Guy. “The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It has grown to be a vital part of our community, providing information, services, and personal and professional growth opportunities to people of all walks of life. We are so fortunate to have such awesome leadership and staff taking our library to the next level.”

Nancy Guy was elected to the Bismarck City Commission in June 2014 and has served as the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library’s liaison between the City Commission and Library Board since her election. She has successfully advocated for funding for a new roof, replacing the 30-year-old HVAC system, and redesigning and replacing the library’s 35-year-old exterior siding, windows, and doors.

“Commissioner Guy has not only endorsed the library’s annual operating budget but also endorsed the funding of these three major building projects,” said Library Director Christine Kujawa. “As a library patron since childhood, Commissioner Guy has been a great supporter of the overall operation of the library. We have been fortunate to have her on our team to advocate on our behalf. I can think of no better way to express our gratitude to her than with the esteemed Library Champion Award, for she is truly the epitome of a Library Champion.”