The Friends of the Library of Hawai’i, an organization whose mission is to aid the Islands’ library system though financial support and promotion, has named Gabrielle Casart branch manager of Laupahoehoe Public & School Library the 2009 Public Librarian of the Year.

The group also honored Margie Akita of Hanapepe Public Library, Barbara Gambsky of Mountain View Public & School Library, and Lorna Lau of Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped with the 2009 Excellence in Service Awards.
The public reception and awards ceremony will be part of the the Friends' annual meeting on Feb. 11 at the Hawai’i State Library.
Library patrons and staff nominate the recipients and the awardees are selected by
an FLH committee.