September 20, 2000, Chicago, IL - Karen L. Odean, Director of the Talking Book Center of Northwest Illinois, was recently selected as the 2000 recipient of the Alexander J. Skrzypek Award. The Talking Book Center recently converted to the Keystone Library Automation System, KLAS, from DRA. Ms. Odean was instrumental in creating a smooth transition from DRA to KLAS. The following is taken from the press release announcing the award:

"Karen L. Odean, Director of the Talking Book Center of Northwest Illinois, has been selected as the 2000 recipient of the Alexander J. Skrzypek Award. This award was established by the Illinois Library Association to recognize a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library services for the blind or physically disabled in Illinois. It was conceived as an appropriate honor to the first librarian for the blind at the Chicago Public Library.

In submitting the nomination, Lori Bell, Director of Library Services at Spoon River College, Canton, wrote that with 25 years of talking book service, Ms. Odean is one of the senior talking book consultants in the state. She praised Ms. Odean's knowledge of the DRA automated system which tracks patron requests and her knowledge of the talking book collection itself. This knowledge was the reason Ms. Odean was chosen to lead a statewide recataloging project, which assigned more accurate subject headings to titles in the talking book database.



In addition, Ms. Odean has been most willing to share her knowledge with other librarians through personal assistance and through service to the organized profession. Ms. Bell's nomination was supported by Mary Beth Harnden, Director of Voices of Vision Talking Book Center, DuPage Library System.

Ms. Odean will receive a specially designed plaque from the sponsor, the Illinois Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. In addition, her name will also be added to the permanent plaque on display at the Illinois Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Springfield.

This award will be presented at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference Awards Ceremony on Monday, October 16, 2000 at the Peoria Civic Center. The presentation will be preceded by a reception for recipients, sponsors, and designated guests.

For further information, contact the Illinois Library Association."

Keystone Systems, Inc. would like to offer its congratulations to Ms. Odean for this wonderful accomplishment! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------