2025 Award Recipients
Librarian of the Year – Carla Gordon (Provo City Library)
Carla has only been the Director of the Provo City Library since 2022 but has worked at the library since 1999. She has a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
from Utah State University. She absolutely loves her job and couldn’t think of anything she would rather be doing than providing amazing library services to the amazing residents of Provo. In what little spare time she has, she loves reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Distinguished Service Award – Steve Decker (Cedar City Library)
Steve Decker has been serving Utah’s public libraries for most of the last 38 years. His service began in 1987 when he landed a job as director of the Parowan City Library and will culminate this summer after 27 years as director of the Cedar City Library. During his career he has often presented at Utah Library Association conferences and workshops, was selected to present at a MPLA conference, taught Utah State Library Division UPLIFT courses, and taught a collection development course and been a commencement speaker for Emporia State University’s MLS program (Utah Cohort). Decker worked with a team to assure the passage of a bond to build a new library in Cedar City and was the primary contact for all related construction and design issues after the bond passed. That library was completed in 2003. He has consulted for the Utah State Library Division for whom he completed a Return on Investment study for Utah’s public libraries. He later contracted again for an update and revision to that study. He was the first ALA Allied Professional Association Certified Public Library Administrator in Utah.
During his tenure at Cedar City, much of his attention has been turned to public programming. The library has twice been a recipient of Big Read grants. The library hosted a traveling exhibit created by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human.” The library also received a grant to celebrate the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, a highlight of which was a tasting table of foods prepared in Franklin’s day.Over the last decade or so, Decker’s library department has grown to include Cedar City’s efforts in all areas of art: literary arts (the library), performing arts (the Heritage Theater), and visual arts. Decker’s visual arts program, “Character Sketches,” in which live models dress as characters from books, movies, video games, or well-known works of art, is now in its eighth year. After the success of these programs, in 2023, he founded a monthly visual art program in his hometown of Parowan.
Decker described ULA’s Distinguished Service Award as, “The greatest professional honor I have ever received.”
President’s Award – Merrily Cannon (Utah State Library)
Merrily Cannon is the Development Program Manager at the Utah State Library Division. She earned a Masters in Library Science at Emporia University with an emphasis in Library Administration. Her role at the state library involves leading a team that offers statewide services in training, data collection, grants, youth services and technology expertise for library staff. She also oversees state library certification for new or emerging libraries and state recertification for established libraries. When she’s not working to find ways to help libraries, she can be found reading books from the library, working on home improvement projects, enjoying the great outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Special Service to Libraries Award – Adam Merkley (Provo City Library Volunteer)
Adam grew up with a love of books and aced many English classes that dared offer extra credit for reading extra. The love of libraries was always in his blood. He also valued volunteering before he was old enough to hold a full time job. Later in life, he joined taekwondo where he earned his first degree black belt, along with his wife and daughter. While preparing for that, the school encouraged volunteering. He sought opportunities to do that where possible, including FanX (Salt Lake’s comic convention) and Dragonsteel (Brandon Sanderson’s convention). He also found opportunities to serve in his local community that blended two things he greatly valued in life: helping others and books. He loves to volunteer with the many activities the library provides and see the joy of those that attend.
Outstanding Staff Award – Melissa Lindsay (Davis County Library)
Mel has worked in and with libraries for 20 years. She started as a shelver at the South Jordan Library in 2005. In 2008 she moved to attend Utah State University and began working at the Merrill-Cazier Library where she spent 4 years in the Journals and Newspapers department. After graduating from USU, Mel spent 6 years working on the vendor side with SirsiDynix before landing her dream job as a Children’s librarian at the Clearfield Branch Library in 2018. She has spent the last 7 years living the dream, doing storytime and weekly STEAM activities, running a tween book club, a NASA Citizen Science program for Teens, and helping patrons from all backgrounds and
lifestyles. One of her favorite moments was when a tween she hadn’t seen for a while pointed to Mel’s lanyard and said that they really liked her pin. That pin has the trans and pride flag colors on it and says “You Are Safe With Me.” That made Mel feel like she must be doing something right.
Special Recognition Award – Daniel Mauchley (Duchesne County Library)
Daniel Mauchley is the Duchesne County Library Director, overseeing the Duchesne and Roosevelt branches since 2015. He earned his Masters of Library Science from Emporia State University and his Bachelor’s in Spanish Teaching from Weber State University with University and Department Honors. He worked three years in the Ogden School District as a district teacher librarian and as an elementary school librarian. He has served in the Utah Library Association as a Board Member-At-Large, the 2020-2021 President, and is currently the Chair of the Bylaws and Past Presidents Committees. He has overseen the ULA Bylaws revision processes of 2021 and 2025. He is a member of the Utah State Library Board and has served on various USL committees. Duchesne County Library has been recognized with multiple USL Quality Library awards during his tenure thanks to the great work and improvements made by his staff. Daniel oversaw the construction of the 16,700 sq. ft. Roosevelt Branch in 2022 and was part of the management team for the 2024 remodel of the Duchesne Branch. Born in Layton, he lives in Roosevelt with his wife Emma and three young children.
From Daniel – I express my sincere appreciation to Rachel Wadham for her generous nomination and help in the process of merging the Children’s Literature Association of Utah with ULA, ensuring the Beehive Book Awards continue on.
Outreach Award – Sarah Brinkerhoff (Salt Lake County Library)
After graduating from Kent State with my MLIS, I returned to Utah where I grew up, and worked first at Weber County Library and then Salt Lake County Library as an Assistant Manager before becoming a manager in 2013. Since 2018, I’ve worked at the Draper Branch, just miles from where I grew up, and have loved the opportunity to create a team focused on programming and developing amazing services and collections for our patrons. In particular, I’ve focused on expanding services and relationships with adults with intellectual disabilities, starting an All Ability programs in 2018, which has now expanded to the entire Salt Lake County Library system.
Legislative Award for Excellence in Political Affairs and Library Advocacy – Billy Palmer (Issues Manager, WestSide Coalition)
Billy Palmer brings over two decades of experience in activism and grassroots movement building at both local and national levels. His work has spanned a range of social justice issues, including economic equality, human rights, gender equity, anti-Black and Indigenous policy reform, youth empowerment, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Most recently, Billy served the ACLU of Utah as Campaigns Director, Prior to this role, he spent five years as a host and associate producer of RadioACTive, a public affairs program on KRCL 90.9 FM. During his time at KRCL, he also served as Director of Civic Engagement, deepening the station’s connection to Utah’s diverse communities. Billy currently serves on the WestSide Coalition as an Issues Manager.
Billy’s background also includes filmmaking, music promotion, and performance—most notably as a swing dance choreographer and performer, showcasing his creative and cultural versatility. A proud resident of West Salt Lake City and father of three adult children, Billy finds joy in spending time with family, attending live performances of many sorts, and traveling whenever possible.