By Jacquie Rath
On Nov. 16, The Times held a reception in honor of the award winners. Each was presented with $2,500 and a commemorative plaque by the newspaper. Separate plaques featuring each winner's name and title will be sent to the libraries where they work.
"We are very proud to be celebrating the fifth anniversary of the New York Times librarian awards," said Alyse Myers, vice president of marketing services for the newspaper. "What began as a local initiative to recognize the efforts of public librarians in New York City has grown to a national awards program that garners nominations from nearly every state in the country. Such enthusiasm clearly demonstrates what a vital role librarians play in all our communities. We take this opportunity to congratulate our 27 honorees, but also to salute librarians everywhere and to applaud the enormous contributions they make to our society."
Fargnoli is the assistant head of children's services at the Great Neck Library, a position she has held since 1991. Before that she was a part-time children's librarian at the Oceanside Library, and worked in the libraries of both the Oceanside and Rockville Centre schools. She also reviewed books for the School Library Journal for over 10 years.
"It's still about the book - helping to guide Great Neck's children and families to just the right book and leaving them alone to savor every word," Fargnoli said.
Her current responsibilities include 2-year-olds' story time, kindergarten story-crafts, class visits, "Readers Advisory" and special event programming.
Fargnoli began her career as a librarian typing and filing catalog cards. "Advances in technology help learners," she said, thinking back on all of those advances since she became a librarian. "And that's what it's all about - learning, literacy and loving books."
Fargnoli is married to Dr. Nicolas Fargnoli, professor and chairman of theology and religious studies at Molloy College, where he is also a professor of English literature. The couple have three children, Giuliana, Alessandro and Gioia, all graduates of South Side High School, and one grandchild.
