Beth Fox added another award to her growing list Friday when she was named librarian of the year by the Central Texas Library System for her work in behalf of the 75-member nonprofit organization.

It wasn’t the most prestigious of her many honors during her star-studded, 25-year career at the Westbank Community Library because that came in 2006 when she was named the state’s top librarian by the Texas Library Association. Nevertheless, for Fox, it had special significance.

“It’s always special to be recognized by your peers,” she said, adding that she has mutual respect for her fellow CTLS members. “It was a very good week.”

Fox was referring to her library board being informed earlier last week that it had won the John Cotton Dana Award from the American Library Association for its marketing and fundraising to build a branch dubbed “Laura’s Library” in honor of former first lady Laura Bush. That honor, which includes a $5,000 grant, will officially be presented in June.

Lyle Thormann, a six-year board member for the Westbank Community Library who also chaired the fundraising committee for the branch library, said Fox was singled out by the CTLS for playing a key role in getting laws passed that established the Westbank Community Library as the first library district in the state.

“All of [CTLS members] know how hard she’s worked to not only make CTLS a nonprofit, which was an uphill battle, but to start the first library district and guide other districts into the same endeavor,” Thormann explained. “She’s just been a mentor for so many people that it is a very well deserved award for her, so we’re pleased she got it.

“It was a very good day.”