Geneva Public Library Wins Two National Awards at ALA Annual Conference

July 10, 2025

Geneva, IL – Geneva Public Library announces they received two prestigious PR Xchange Awards at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference held June 27–30 in Philadelphia, PA. These accolades were announced in early May by ALA’s Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures division and celebrated during the PR Xchange Awards ceremony on June 28.

About PR Xchange

The PR Xchange Awards highlight the best library public relations and marketing materials from the previous year. Submissions are judged on content, creativity, and design by a panel of experts in PR, design, and marketing. More than 297 entries in print and electronic formats were submitted from over 100 institutions, including public, academic, school, state, and special libraries. Geneva Public Library was recognized for the following publications:

  • Strategic Plan Brochure (Print — Advocacy/Fundraising/Strategic Plans-Print category).  Geneva Public Library was recognized for its engaging, 20-page print brochure communicating the Library’s strategic plan for 2024-2027.
  • Summer Challenge Guide (Reading Programs-Print category).  This vibrant guide promoting the Library’s 2024 Summer Challenge program earned top honors for its colorful design and engaging content.

Winning materials were showcased during the PR Xchange Event on June 28, where delegates could view winning materials in all categories, followed by the awards ceremony. Geneva Public Library staff members Alex Hanold and Chaz Baechler attended the ceremony to accept the awards.

“To receive national recognition from our peers in the library industry is truly an honor,” said Christine Lazaris, Library Director. “We’re especially proud of the Summer Challenge Guide, which plays a vital role in promoting literacy and keeping readers of all ages engaged during the summer. The recognition for our Strategic Plan Brochure is equally meaningful—it reflects our commitment to transparency, thoughtful planning, and clearly communicating our long-term vision to the community we serve.”

Image: (L to R) PR Xchange co-chair Holly Flynn; Chaz Baechler and Alex Hanold, Geneva Public Library; PR Xchange co-chair Mark Aaron Polger at the PR Xchange Awards ceremony, June 28

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Geneva Public Library District, located 40 miles west of downtown Chicago on the Fox River in Kane County, Illinois, serves a population of more than 32,700 in the City of Geneva and surrounding areas. Welcoming more than 200,000 visitors annually, the library offers people of all ages and stages of life resources and opportunities to discover, read, create, work, study, and play. Learn more at gpld.org.

iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

Visit the iREAD website »