Largo, Maryland – Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) staff have been local heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting COVID-19 relief efforts, distributing COVID-19 test kits, hosting food distributions, and ensuring Prince Georgians have free access to the internet and technology. Two PGCMLS staff members were awarded honors by the Maryland Library Association (MLA) during the organization’s annual conference in Cambridge, Maryland, which took place May 3-6, 2022.

Michelle Hamiel, Chief Operating Officer for Public Services, received the MLA Outstanding Member Award in recognition of her decades of service to Maryland libraries, statewide leadership in race and social equity, and founding MLA’s Black Caucus. Hamiel was also recently elected to serve as MLA’s 2022/2023 vice president/president-elect, assuming the organization’s presidency in 2023. Drew Clark, Graphic Design Specialist, was awarded MLA’s Excellence in Marketing Award, which “recognizes the talent of communications and marketing personnel within Maryland libraries." Clark’s award focuses on his creative design for the bilingual (English/Spanish) 2021 Summer @ Your Library (“Verano en su Biblioteca”) program, “Tails and Tales,” which was presented in partnership with the Washington Nationals.

About Michelle Hamiel

Michelle Hamiel serves as the chief operating officer for public services at the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) in Maryland. She has spent the last eight years helping to position PGCMLS as a national leader in the library world. Hamiel works tirelessly to help change the equity lens, nationally, statewide and locally. She serves as a member of the Urban Libraries Council Race and Social Equity Action Team. She currently serves as the facilitator for the Maryland Library Association Equity Diversity and Inclusion Task force. She serves as the facilitator for the Maryland State Libraries diversity and Inclusion task force. As a transformative leader, Hamiel is passionate about working to develop policies, procedures and services that enrich the lives of individuals, provide access for all and tear down barriers that prevent others from realizing their full potential. Hamiel believes her work in libraries equalizes the playing field for those who have historically been excluded. Embracing the core value of libraries: access, democracy, diversity, education and lifelong learning, Hamiel consistently embraces and implements new ideas, innovations and programs that transform libraries and those who use them. She is a James Partridge award winner and a Maryland Library Association Outstanding Member award recipient. She recently received an Executive Certificate in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion from Georgetown University. She holds a Master’s degree in Library Science and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. Hamiel keeps her finger on the pulse of library innovation by actively participating in the American Library Association, Public Library Association, Urban Libraries Council, and Maryland Library Association. She also receives inspiration from her students at the University of Maryland iSchool where she serves as an adjunct professor.

About Drew Clark

Drew Clark has been the graphic designer at Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) for over 3 years. Heavily influenced by nature and the animated films he watched growing up, he decided to enter the creative field. Reading has also shaped his interests and is one of the reasons he loves working for a library system. He hopes to inspire young readers and artists through his work. Outside of his artistic pursuits, he likes to go on adventures with his life partner Brian and their pup Lucky.

Graphics Package

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 Maryland Library Association

Maryland Library Association provides leadership for those who are committed to libraries by providing opportunities for professional development and communication and by advocating principles and issues related to librarianship and library service. MLA was founded in 1923 to promote library service in the state. Among members are library staff and trustees, library school students, libraries, and friends of libraries representing the full spectrum of librarianship in Maryland. In 1974, MLA became a legally chartered non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. The Association is a state member of the American Library Association, with an elected chapter councilor serving on its governing board.