News

Joe Gibbons to Be Honored by Library System

Joe Gibbons, a longtime library patron and advocate, is being named, posthumously, the William W. Scranton Library Laureate by the Lackawanna County Library System.

The award will be presented at the start of the Library System’s American Masters Lecture on Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in the Scranton Cultural Center.

David Sedaris, author and humorist, will deliver the American Masters Lecture immediately after the presentation ceremony.

The award honors the memory of the late Gov. William W. Scranton, a man well known for his love of libraries and reading.

 “Mr. Gibbons is being honored for his deep commitment to Lackawanna County libraries and for his dedication to lectures presented by the Library System,” said Mary Garm, system administrator.

A marketing professional, Mr. Gibbons’ expertise was valued in all aspects of the planning, design, and promotion of the lecture series. His involvement with the series began in 2005 and continued throughout his life.

He also shared his time and talents with the community through involvement in many charities. He was on the board and allocation committee of the United Way. He was a board member and past president of Advocacy Alliance. He was also a board member and president of EOTC, now known as Outreach.

“As a final wish, he asked those who knew him and cared for him to contribute to the Lecture Series in his name. Those contributions have helped to make this year’s event possible,” Mrs. Garm said.

Mr. Gibbons is the fourth person to receive this award. Previous Library Laureates are James W. Reid, Esq, Brian J. Cali, Esq., and Mary Belin Rhodes.

Tickets for the American Masters Lecture can be obtained at any Lackawanna County library or online at Eventbrite.com.