HR1136: HR1136 Grant, Ms. Shantelle; occasion of her selection as the 2025 Georgia Public Library Employee of the Year; commend

26 LC 129 0718 House Resolution 1136 By: Representatives Erwin of the 32nd, Gambill of the 15th, Ballard of the 147th, Wade of the 9th, Donatucci of the 105th, and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Ms. Shantelle Grant on the occasion of her selection as the1 2025 Georgia Public Library Employee of the Year; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Ms. Shantelle Grant serves as the children’s coordinator at the Toccoa-Stephens3 County Public Library and as the regional children’s and youth services director for the4 Northeast Georgia Regional Library System; and5 WHEREAS, Ms. Grant has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Georgia Public Library6 Employee of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding se rvice, leadership, and7 dedication to the needs of her community; and8 WHEREAS, Ms. Grant is widely recognized for creating a welcomin g and inclusive9 environment for adults and children of all ages, while actively advocating on behalf of public10 libraries and promoting literacy and lifelong learning throughout her community; and11 WHEREAS, nominators have noted that Ms. Grant’s passion for earl literacy has playe d a12 vital role in supporting the library’s mission to support the development of lifelong readers13 and learners; and14 H. R. 1136 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0718 WHEREAS, at Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library, Ms. Grant conducts and oversees15 all aspects of children’s and youth programming, including stor y-time, summer reading16 programs, 1,000 Book Before Kindergarten, home-school programmi ng, the Mayor’s17 Reading Club, collection development, and other literacy-focused initiatives; and18 WHEREAS, community members consistently praise Ms. Grant’s enthusiasm, warmth, and19 commitment to children and families, noting her ability to engage audiences of any size with20 joy, patience, and encouragement; and 21 WHEREAS, in her role as Regional Children’s and youth Services Director, Ms. Grant22 coordinated state level youth initiatives across the Northeast Georgia Regional Library23 System, providing guidance and support to children’s staff while facilitating collaboration24 and effective program planning; and25 WHEREAS, Ms. Grant’s leadership has had a profound and far-reac hing impact on her26 community through early literacy initiatives, mentorship of teens and future educators, and27 strong partnerships with schools, home-school families, and local government; and28 WHEREAS, Ms. Grant is an active member of the Toccoa-Stephens C ounty Chamber of29 Commerce and the local Rotary Club, further demonstrating her c ommitment to civic30 engagement and community service; and31 WHEREAS, in November 2025, Ms. Grant was recognized by the Stephens County School32 System as the 2025 pioneer in Education, reflecting the lasting influence of her wok in33 education and youth development; and 34 H. R. 1136 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0718 WHEREAS, encouraged by retireing librarian Kay Canberg, Ms. Grant began her service at35 the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library in 2007, and as since d e v o t e d h e r s e l f t o36 strengthening literacy and learning opportunities for children and families across Northeast37 Georgia; and38 WHEREAS, Ms. Grant is widely regarded as a professional of inte grity, compassion, and39 excellence whose work has strengthened her community and advanced the mission of public40 libraries throughout the state of Georgia.41 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that42 the members of this body recognize and commend Ms. Shantelle Gr ant for her exemplary43 service and congratulate her on being named the 2025 Georgia Public Library Employee of44 the Year.45 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized46 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Ms.47 Shantelle Grant.48 H. R. 1136 - 3 -