At the NHLA Fall Conference Catherine Redden was presented with the 2005 Ann Geisel Award for distinguished service to the New Hampshire library community. The Ann Geisel Award of Merit recognizes librarians, libraries, and other individuals and organizations that have contributed to the Association or the New Hampshire library community. Through their efforts as library professionals, providing library services or advocating for library issues, they have improved all New Hampshire libraries.
Catherine Redden is a Life Member of NHLA and has served the association in many roles. She has contributed to many committees, including bylaws, conference, and pay equity. She served as NHLA president twice. The second time, when the President-Elect was unable to serve, the board drafted Catherine and she accepted the challenge. She has represented NHLA on the NELA board and is active in the Seacoast Coop. Catherine shares her knowledge of libraries as an instructor for the New Hampshire Education Modules.
Her letters of nomination stressed her generosity and professionalism. Several times her nominators used the word “nurture.”
“As a colleague, Catherine has been entirely supportive, always willing to listen and to offer advice when requested, or to send a personal note or card of encouragement. She takes a mentoring interest in the other libraries of the co-op and around the state, and is often the first to congratulate their successes or commiserate with their trials.”
Another nomination stated:
“As a New Hampshire librarian, I am grateful for all that she has does and continues to do and have the highest regard for her professionalism, her optimism and her dedication. Catherine Redden’s service to the New Hampshire Library Community has been not only distinguished but also exceptionally generous and performed with good humor and a deep love for libraries.”
This award is named in the memory of Ann Geisel (1947-1999). Ann personified “distinguished service to the New Hampshire library community.” In addition to serving for many years as the Director of the Peterborough Town Library, she served the New Hampshire library community through her service as a member of the NH Library Association, Nubanusit Library Coop and the NH State Library Advisory Council including a term as its Chair. She was also active in regional and national library issues as a member of the Advisory Board of the Northeast Document Conservation Center, the American Library Association and the New England Library Association.