Nicholas A. Brown

(301) 699-3500 x6241

Nicholas.Brown@pgcmls.info

Largo, Maryland – In keeping with the longstanding tradition of Prince George’s County as an incubator of transformative leaders, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is privileged to announce that two of its senior leaders were recently recognized with awards from Citizens for Maryland Libraries (CML). Carla Moore, Director of Information Technology, received the 2022 Davis McCarn Technology Award and Heather Jackson, West Area Director, received the 2022 Outstanding Library Employee Award during the September 15, 2022 PGCMLS Board of Library Trustees meeting.

The Davis McCarn Technology Award is presented in recognition of outstanding effort to use technology to improve library service in Maryland. McCarn was a chair of the Montgomery County Library Board and employee of the National Library of Medicine, where he managed the development of MEDLINE, the first nationwide online health-related database. He was also a chair of Citizens for Maryland Libraries.

Moore was nominated for her exemplary leadership in improving internet access and cybersecurity for PGCMLS customers and Maryland library users alike. She recently led the development and implementation of the Library’s digital equity and inclusion initiative, which helps the 116,000+ Prince George’s County residents who lack home broadband get online through the Library. A highlight of this program is the Online 2Go Chromebook program, which has connected 3,533 households with borrowable technology and internet access since July 2021. She is also responsible for the expansion of drive-up WiFi services during the COVID-19 pandemic, which provide 24/7 WiFi access outside PGCMLS’ neighborhood branch libraries.

The Outstanding Library Employee Award is presented to a library employee or team who has made exceptional contributions to the Library, particularly in the areas of customer service or outreach.

Jackson was nominated for her extraordinary leadership in outreach service and community engagement. As the leader of the Bladensburg, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, and New Carrollton branch libraries, Jackson is a trusted community leader who is an expert when it comes to adapting library services to anticipate the needs of community members, especially immigrants and refugees.  

“We are so proud of both Carla and Heather,” said Michael B. Gannon, Acting Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Support Services. “We know how much positive change they are accomplishing in the community, but to have them recognized on the state level with this distinguished award is tremendous.”

About Carla Moore

Carla Moore has been the director of information technology for Prince George’s County Memorial Library System for eight years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. She brings more than 35 years of information systems and technology experience to the library. She oversees the architecture and implementation of information technology (IT) operations and business support systems. She provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust and secure information technology environment. She is a strong technology-focused leader who can easily discuss business needs to determine the best solution. Her extensive and broad technical background provides the experience necessary to guide business leaders to the solutions that will achieve the best result. Her work and experience include: security awareness, broadband initiatives, virtualization and server consolidation, firewalls, mobile device management, eCommerce, disaster planning, digital literacy, collaboration tools, VOIP, data backups, and remote access.

About Heather Jackson

Heather Jackson has been the area director for the west branches of PGCMLS since 2016 and has been with PGCMLS since 2014 as a department head and branch manager. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master's in Library Science from the University of Maryland. She has years of career experience in social work, education, and non-profit management. During her tenure at PGCMLS, she created a network of three pop-up libraries cohoused in local community agencies in book deserts and launched BiblioConsulta, the PGCMLS call center for Spanish speaking customers. She has served on numerous community agency steering and advisory committees focusing on immigrant, refugee and asylee populations in Prince George's County. She was a Fellow in the Maryland New Leaders Council in 2018 and frequently serves as a guest lecturer, presenter, and trainer on topics ranging from youth services and literature to community outreach. She has been published in multiple professional journals and has received multiple grants to facilitate robust programming and services to the community. She is the co-creator, host, and editor of the literary podcast, “These Books Made Me.”

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About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.

About Citizens for Maryland Libraries

Citizens for Maryland Libraries (CML), founded in 1982 and incorporated in 1984, was established as a result of recommendations from the Maryland Governor’s Conference (1978) and the White House Conference (1979) on Library and Information Services. It is made up of interested citizens and non-profit organizations, libraries, library trustees and professionals from throughout the state. The organization creates greater public awareness of the need for and services of libraries of all kinds, promotes laws to provide improved support to libraries, and fosters, promotes, and helps local library friends and support groups, among a range of other services.