The Niles District Library has earned the prestigious State Librarian’s Excellence Award for its innovative programs and ability to establish meaningful partnerships in the community.

The award is presented to just one library each year at the Michigan Library Association’s annual conference, which will be held Oct. 30 in Novi.

The Niles District Library will receive a trophy and $2,000 in privately donated funds.

Director Nancy Studebaker said she found out late last week.

Library staff unveiled the news during the Four Flags Area Apple Festival’s grand parade as two people walking in the parade held a banner announcing that the library had won.

“I get to see my staff do wonderful work every single day and I recognize it and I appreciate,” said Studebaker. “To have someone else recognize and appreciate it really means a lot to me. It’s a way of thanking them that I could never do.”

The Library of Michigan and the Library of Michigan Foundation present the award in order to highlight services provided by Michigan’s libraries.

“Year after year, Michigan’s libraries consistently expand services and find new ways to serve their communities,” said State Librarian Randy Riley. “The 2015 nominations demonstrate how creative, impactful and diverse libraries are across the state. Michigan libraries of all types are successfully focusing on what is unique about their communities and are successfully tailoring services to meet those evolving needs.”

Riley said the Niles District Library’s approach to establishing meaningful partnerships in the community should serve as a model for other libraries, local governments and community organizations.

He pointed to several programs and partnerships at the library as good examples, including:

• The Special Editions program targeting services to the special needs community

• Hosting the Midwest Historical Archaeological Association Conference

• Offering financial literacy courses

• Hosting ComicCon events

• Promoting the Niles Reads program

• Teaming with the Salvation Army’s food program

• Developing the Read and Return book program that distributes library books to the community

The State Library also gave Citations of Excellence awards to the Jackson District Library and Marcellus Township Wood Memorial Library (Cass County).

For more information about the award, visit The Library of Michigan online at michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan.