Recent Awards

Some of the more recent awards from the Wichita Public Library's more than 100 years of existence follow.

• Library Journal's New Landmark Libraries Honorable Mention for the Advanced Learning Library (2019)
• Wichita Business Journal Project of the Year for the Advanced Learning Library (2019)
• Friend of Education Partner Activity Certificate from USD 259 for Big Read Wichita (2016)
• Urban Libraries Council's ​Top Innovator in Customer Experience (2016)
• Urban Libraries Council's Top Innovator in Civic and Community Engagement - Honorable Mention (2014)
• LibraryAware Community Award - 1st Place (2014)
• Storytime Village, Inc.'s Literary Legacy Award to the Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library (2014)
• The Arts Council's Arts Organization Award (2009)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for Meritorious Service (2008)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for Library Personnel (2007)

Individuals Recognized

• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for Intellectual Champion to Librarian Daniel Pewewardy (2024)
• National Genealogical Society's Filby Award for Genealogical Librarianship to Michelle Enke, Manager of Genealogy/Special Collections (2024)
• Wichita Business Journal's HR Professionals Award to Support Services Manager Tammy Penland (2024)
• Storytime Village's Read & Rise Literacy Champion to Director Jaime Nix (2023)
• Reference and User Services Association's History Section Genealogy/History Achivement Award to Michelle Enke, Manager of Genealogy/Special Collections (2023)
• City of Wichita's Excellence in Public Service Award to Marketing Manager Sean Jones (2023)
• City of Wichita's Raving Fans Award to Library Assistant Cassie Fahey (2021)
• Wichita Business Journal's Women in Business Award to Interim Director Kristi Dowell (2021)
• Wichita Business Journal's Women in Business Award to Director Cynthia Berner (2018)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for New Professional to Reference Librarian Sara Dixon (2016)
• USD 259 Good Apple Award to Children's Librarian Carol Kotsch (2015)
• Mountain Plains Library Association's Distinguished Service Award to Branch Manager Jean Hatfield (2015)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for New Professional to Savannah Ball (2014)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for Library Personnel to Customer Service Manager Jaime Prothro (2011)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for Library Personnel to Alford Branch Manager Jean Hatfield (2009)
• City of Wichita's Excellence in Public Service Award to Director of Libraries Cynthia Berner (2007)
• Kansas Library Association's Presidential Award for New Professional to Evergreen Branch Manager Jaime Prothro (2006)