KDL receives national award for being a great employer to work for

KDL Executive Director Lance Werner in the new KDL Bookmobile. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Kent District Library has been recognized on the national level as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources. This award follows being named one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in 2019.

The recognition is based upon ratings provided by KDL staff members of workplace culture, benefits and working conditions. These staff ratings were compared with over 5,000 other nominated organizations throughout the United States. Of those, the 540 with the highest scored were honored as national winners.

The competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more.

“The ratings provided by our staff in the Best and Brightest survey and national ranking confirms that we’re onto something special,” explains Brian Mortimore, Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development. “When people come to KDL from other organizations, they’re often surprised at our benefits, workplace culture, and often expressing their desire to stay with us for their full career. Ultimately, it’s our goal to have a positive impact on our community, and a positive culture gives rise to a passion to serve others. This award honors the positive energy our staff bring to their work daily.”

Kent District Library offers full- and part-time staff with a wide range of benefits and matching contributions to retirement savings, telemedicine and prescription drug services, along with support for student loan repayment among workplace benefits. KDL has been honored in the past with recognition in human resource best practices from the Grand Rapids Women’s Resource Center, Disability Advocates of West Michigan, and the Michigan Quality Council. Social activities are planned for staff and their families annually through an employee resource group called “Team KDL” to promote appreciation and a sense of family.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a program of the National Association for Business Resources that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

As a winner, Kent District Library representatives are invited to attend the national conference for Best and Brightest, taking place in Dallas, Texas in March 2021 to share and learn of other cross-industry best in class practices.