Melisa Gilbert, in addition to managing the largest Institutional Library Service (ILS) branch, Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CCRC) in Connell, Washington, with the utmost professionalism, exhibits leadership among the program. Melisa volunteered to maintain and update the critically important Re-Entry Resources Notebooks used by all ILS branches. She is working to move everything from the ILS Public Folders in Outlook to a shared wiki for greater ease of updating and finding information.

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Melisa has built an extremely positive relationship with Department of Corrections staff at CRCC, thus facilitating her ability to provide excellent customer service to the inmates. In addition to the all the extra work stated above, she planned and implemented legal services training workshops for the inmates in order to teach them how to use the LexisNexis database.

Melisa works in the one ILS branch that has two staff. She built a well functioning team at CRCC, at the same time as she mentored and trained her co-worker, Gayle Shonkwiler. According to Gayle, "Melisa is very intelligent and the best resource librarian ever. She is very helpful to all our patrons as well as very highly regarded. She's a great boss, too!"

She is a valuable part of the entire ILS team, as evidenced by her volunteering for many tasks for the good of the group. Laura Sherbo, Manager for Branch Libraries says, "You won't find a more 'can do attitude' than Melisa's.she doesn't go the second mile.she goes the third!" Thanks for your energy, dedication, and leadership, Melisa.