David J. Roberts EXCEL Award for Rainbow Connections

The Abington Township Public Library is thrilled to announce that they have received the 2022 David J. Roberts EXCEL Library Service Award. Presented by the Pennsylvania Library Association at this year’s Annual Conference in Harrisburg, PA, the award recognizes the Abington Township Public Library’s Rainbow Connections program as the year’s most creative and/or influential youth services program. Rainbow Connections won the Best Practices Award in recognition of exceptional service to school age children, their families, and caregivers. The David J. Roberts EXCEL awardee is chosen from the entire group of best practices winners. EXCEL stands for EXcellence in Childhood Early Learning and, as such, the David J. Roberts EXCEL Library Service Award represents the "Best of the Best" in library practices for early learning. The award is accompanied by a $1,000 gift to the Abington Township Public Library.

Rainbow Connections is a monthly virtual program for LGBTQ+ children and allies in grades K-5 and their families. Rainbow Connections serves as a model for inclusive, safe, and joyful library programming for LGBTQ+ youth, nationally and locally. Abington Township Public Library staff and program facilitators presented earlier this month through the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association, and the program has been featured on WHYY and 6ABC.