Manchester City Library

The Manchester City Library is thrilled to announce that our director, Denise van Zanten, was named the 2024 recipient of the Ann Geisel Award of Merit from the NH Library Association (NHLA) during their annual Fall Business Meeting & Conference on Wednesday, 11/6/24 in Plymouth, NH.

The award is named in memory of Ann Geisel (1947-1999), who provided distinguished service to the NH library community.  Recipients are individuals, groups or organizations that have made similar significant contributions to the NH library community, or to NHLA.  The award is granted on the vote of the NHLA Executive Committee, which is based upon recommendations by the Awards Committee. 

Mindy Atwood, Past President of NHLA, shared the following with attendees at the recent Fall Business Conference:

Following the legacy of Ann Geisel herself, Denise personifies distinguished service to the New Hampshire library community. Denise’s commitment to the Manchester City Library and the greater library community is beyond measure. Denise gives of herself and her time without reservation.

Denise has served in numerous roles within NHLA, including but not limited to President (2022) and Legislative Liaison, a role which she currently fills. In addition, she was recently elected to serve as the NHLA VP/President-Elect (again!).

Denise has also acted in a multitude of capacities within GMILCS, providing leadership to the largest public library consortium in the state. She has served as President (2013 – 2016); Vice-President (2010 – 2013); Past President (2017 – present); Treasurer (2002 – 2009, and again from 2017 – present).  She has of course done all this while “helming the ship” of the largest public library in New Hampshire through a period of extreme challenges – financial crises, pandemics, etc.

Denise has been a mentor to many new library directors throughout the state over the last twenty plus years. Denise never seeks accolades but quietly connects with new directors and librarians providing mentorship and support.

In her role as Legislative Liaison, she recently presided over an unprecedented term of bills, many of which were seemingly hostile to libraries and intellectual freedom. Denise navigated this session with skill and grace.

Her tireless advocacy for libraries and intellectual freedom as NHLA’s Legislative Liaison has been instrumental in securing significant victories for the library community, particularly during challenging times. Her unwavering defense of libraries and materials targeting intellectual freedom and the public’s right to access information has been nothing short of heroic.

In addition to her many accomplishments, we would also like to recognize Denise for her steadfast and competent leadership, care, and overall management of the Manchester City Library, while simultaneously providing diligent oversight of countless building repairs and renovation projects over the years.  Her talents extend far beyond the boundaries of librarianship, and we are extremely grateful to have her as our director.

Congratulations, Denise!!