Sheryl White shows her sign for “dinosaur” to 17-month-old Calvin Burnap during a sign language class for toddlers and their caregivers at Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield in June.
Sheryl White shows her sign for “dinosaur” to 17-month-old Calvin Burnap during a sign language class for toddlers and their caregivers at Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield in June. Credit: Staff file photo/Dan Little

NORTHFIELD — The Dickinson Memorial Library staff, trustees and friends are the recipients of this year’s Community Service Award from the Northfield Area Tourism and Business Association.

In a letter explaining the award, Northfield Area Tourism and Business Association organizers Joan and Steve Stoia and John MacDougall called the library “a model of what a cooperative, innovative and dedicated organization should be,” and praised it for supporting the local business community and providing programming of interest for tourists and locals.

A picnic to honor the award’s recipients will be held at the Northfield Golf Club on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.

“There are some really dedicated people from the town who love the library and work really hard to make it great,” said Deb Kern, who has been library director for 18 years. Jon McGowan, trustees chairman, has been on the board for more than 40 years, and Jan Herlihy, president of the Friends of the Dickinson Library, has been with that organization for more than 20 years.

“The library distinguishes itself because it does a great deal outside the walls of the library and does partnerships with businesses,” Steve Stoia said, referring specifically to the library’s community events, like a recent fundraiser at the Northfield Creamie and regular adults-only trivia nights at Cameron’s Winery.

Travelers in Northfield frequently use the library’s resources to research history and ancestry, said Joan Stoia, who runs Centennial House bed and breakfast with her husband.

“I think the award is referring to everything we do,” Kern said, citing the librarians’ customer service, the selection of books and movies and the public meeting space that is available seven days a week.

This is the fourth year the Northfield Area Tourism and Business Association has granted its Community Service Award. The previous recipients of the award are Marie Ferre, former chairwoman of the Northfield Historical Commission and founder of Friends of Schell Bridge; Kim Farmer, owner of Mim’s Market and Jack Spanbauer, a former selectman largely responsible for getting Northfield’s sidewalks repaired.

This is the first time the award has been given to a group of people rather than an individual.