Melissa Sibley Brechon, was awarded the Minnesota Library Distinguished Achievement Award  by the Minnesota Library Association.  The award was presented at the annual MLD conference held in Bloomington in November.

Currently the Carver County Library director, Brechon served as director of the Austin Public Library for two years at the time the Austin Public Library was built in l996.

This award is given to an “individual for a whole body of outstanding library work done over a long period of time.  This work has to impact the library served and/or the library community.”

According to Alison Schaub, who presented the award, “Melissa Sibley Brechon is an established  leader. She has been a mentor to other librarians trying to encourage younger librarians in the field.”

Brechon has taught library science at the University of St. Catherine and works as a library consultant throughout the country.   In addition, she remains active in the American Library Association and the Public Library Association, serving on various committees and boards.