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Mechanicsburg, PA (September 22, 2026) – Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth.

 On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, three members of the Association were honored with Certificates of Merit.

 Certificates of Merit are awarded to individuals making outstanding contributions during the last five years in Pennsylvania.

This year’s winners are Marleen Cloutier, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian at the University of Scranton, Nicole Henline, Director, Monroeville Public Library, and Becky Wanamaker, District Consultant for the Reading Library District.

Since 2017, Marleen Cloutier has demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills within the Association while serving the Northeast Chapter as Membership Chair, then Nominations and Elections Representative, and later, Chapter Chair.  Marleen shared her technical services expertise as a presenter at the Annual Conference and serving in every position within the Technical Services Round Table, including twice as chair. While serving on the 2023 Conference Committee as Chair of the Technical Arrangements Committee, Marleen shared novel strategies for streamlining the conference that continue to be in use. At the University of Scranton, Marleen is co-editor the Weinberg Memorial Library newsletter, chairs an annual environmental art show, and recently revamped the first-year undergraduate student library orientation program.

Marleen has a Master of Science in Library and Information Science with a Concentration in Digital Libraries from Drexel University, and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from the University of Scranton. She began her career in 2013 as a Library Assistant Intern at Goulston & Storrs Law Library. Later, she was a copy cataloger for Backstage Library Works in 2014-2015.  She joined the University of Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library in 2016 as a Cataloging Assistant where she is now Associate Professor and Cataloging and Metadata Librarian. Marleen led the University through an intensive investigation into new ILS, recommendations, preparation, and ultimately concluded with a successful migration. She led with calmness, clarity, and organization.

Nicole Henline’s years of dedicated service, professional leadership, and unwavering commitment to libraries have benefited the Association, her colleagues, and the communities she serves. Part of what distinguishes Nicole is not only the breadth of her service but also her willingness to share her expertise, through mentorship, collaboration, and leadership.

As a member of Allegheny County’s Librarians Advisory Council Executive Committee, Nicole helped lead a successful effort to eliminate fines. At the state level, Nicole served on the Conference Committee before chairing it in 2021 where her leadership showed us how to bring an in-person conference back after COVID. She has acted as a Pennsylvania Library Association Academy of Leadership Studies mentor and has served as a Director-at-Large on the Pennsylvania Library Association Board of Directors. Nicole has also readily shared her experience and expertise as a presenter for the Pennsylvania Library Association annual conference. 

Nicole began her career in libraries during her senior year of high school, working as a computer instructor at the Penn Hills Library. She continued working there even after starting her teaching career. Her strong belief in the power of libraries prompted Nicole to return to school to get her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. She initially worked as the Director of the Community Library of the Shenango Valley before becoming the Director of the Monroeville Public Library in 2015. 

Becky Wanamaker began her public library career in 2005 as Director at Lehighton Area Memorial Library where she managed to expand services with limited resources. She then moved to Parkland Community Library where she focused on adult services and resource development. Becoming a library director again at the Clymer Library, Becky provided structure for staff and board development, leading with kindness, organization, and adaptability. She currently provides leadership, coordination, and consulting to her district’s libraries.

Becky’s involvement with the Association began at the Parkland Community Library where she joined the Lehigh Valley Chapter and took part in the mentorship program. She joined the Intellectual Freedom Committee, and her involvement has increased since. She was appointed to the Legislative Committee in 2024, and she served as Vice Chair, then Chair of the Lehigh Valley Chapter. Becky joined the Conference Committee and co-chaired the Technical Arrangements committee in both 2024 and 2025, creating procedures that continue to be used as a standard. She was also tapped to help create the Office of Commonwealth Libraries’ Board Trustee Manual, released in 2025, and partnered with the Berks County Library System to lead a series of 2025 Open Forum sessions on potential changes to state regulations.

"I am deeply proud to honor the outstanding contributions of our members, whose dedication, innovation, and commitment to equity ensure our libraries remain powerful anchors for communities across the Commonwealth." Richard E. Ashby, Jr, 2026 President of the Pennsylvania Library Association.  "Serving as the first African-American President of the Pennsylvania Library Association [PaLA] is a profound honor. Throughout my career as the Executive Director of the Sharon Hill Public Library and the Founder of LiteracyNation Inc., my mission has always been to break down barriers, champion membership diversity, and ensure equitable resource distribution. This historic milestone is not just a personal honor, but a collective victory that signals a proactive, inclusive era where every community across our Commonwealth is seen, heard, and structurally supported."

A committee comprised of association members reviews the nominations submitted in late summer and selects winners for a series of categories.

“Working in libraries can be both extremely challenging with limited funds as well as profoundly meaningful when we see the joy of readers and patrons valuing library services.” said Pennsylvania Library Association Executive Director Christi Buker. “The Pennsylvania Library Association brings together the library community for advancement of both individuals and libraries. These awards bring important attention to outstanding individuals who make a positive impact both in their individual libraries, and across the state. Our 2026 award winners are top-notch professionals that are highly deserving of this recognition. We hope everyone will join us in congratulating them!”

Founded in 1901, the Pennsylvania Library Association is the state's oldest and most diverse professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Library groups.

PaLA represents more than 1,300 personal, institutional, and commercial members affiliated with public, academic, special, and school libraries throughout the commonwealth. The association represents the profession in Harrisburg with the state legislature and provides opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and continuing education for librarians.

For a listing of previous award winners, click here. For more information about the work of the Pennsylvania Library Association, visit www.palibraries.org.

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