PHOENIX – The State Library of Arizona, a division of the Secretary of State, has been named as the 2013 Library of the Year by Davita Vance-Cooks, U.S. Public Printer. This regional federal depository library is celebrating its 50th year with this designation for oversight and statewide services within Arizona.

“Under the leadership of our State Librarian Joan Clark, and Janet Fisher, our Director of Collections and External Relations, we have been able to reinvigorate our effort to preserve and provide access to important government documents,” said Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Their team has done an excellent job and Arizonans should be proud to have such an outstanding resource at their disposal.”

The award from the U.S. Government Printing Office recognizes the library and its staff for their leadership in carrying out the responsibilities of the Federal Depository Library Program’s role in “keeping America informed.” The State Library of Arizona coordinates and connects with Arizona’s libraries (public, community college, and university) around the state to provide access to federal government information for all. The library’s efforts to plan, collaborate with others, and implement the biennial Six-State Virtual Government Information Conference held in 2010 and 2012 is but one example of its leadership in expanding services to engage, collaborate and transform in GPO’s mission to keep America informed.

The State Library of Arizona is a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State. The Library holds a collection of 2.5 million government, law and genealogy items, is located in the State Capitol in Phoenix, and serves the needs of state government, businesses and the public. The State Library of Arizona functions as the state library and the state law library for Arizona.