Library Leader Award Celebration

Contact: Kristen Zambo, Promotional Services Manager

Office: 630-879-1393, ext. 450

Email: kzambo@bataviapubliclibrary.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

Batavia couple to receive award for creating inclusive Batavia Public Library program

BATAVIA – The Batavia Public Library will recognize an outstanding local couple next month with an award honoring their service to individuals with disabilities and contributions to the library district.

Batavia residents Ken and Terri Mate are this year’s recipients of the Library Leader award.

Ken Mate, a magician and caregiver, and Terri Mate, a special education teacher with Mid Valley Special Education Cooperative, are receiving this award for their work to create the popular Inclusion Game Night program, which was the first of its kind when launched in 2014 at the Library.

“Ken and Terri saw the need in our community for a program where individuals with a range of disabilities — and their families and friends — could meet to have fun and make friends in a supportive space,” Library Executive Director Josephine Tucci said. “Inclusion Game Night helps individuals of all abilities make those connections and feel a sense of belonging.

“Ken and Terri have touched so many lives and are an inspiration,” Tucci said.

Library Leader is an award bestowed biennially on individuals whose instrumental work benefits the Library District, its services and the Batavia community.

“We were surprised. We didn’t know this was happening,” Ken Mate said of the nomination. “We appreciate people paying this honor to us, but we definitely couldn’t do it on our own. We couldn’t do it without the Library.”

Inclusion Game Night sprang from Terri Mate’s desire to provide free opportunities for social interaction among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities like their daughter, Amanda, now 33. Terri Mate, who also performs magic shows for children and does face painting and balloon work, approached Library staff members with the idea and the program was a natural fit.

Teens and adults meet at the Library monthly to play a variety of games and win prizes in a welcoming and diverse environment. Parents, caregivers and siblings also find support and longtime friendships with each other.

A celebration is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, in the Founders Room. The Library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave., and the public is invited to attend.

There will be a brief ceremony, and light refreshments will be served. Inclusion Game Night, which is scheduled for that evening, will begin after the celebration.

The Mates are the 10th award recipients.

The Board of Library Trustees created the Library Leader award in 2003 to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the Batavia Public Library District as “Library Leaders.”

Honorees are recognized in the Book of Library Leaders, which is displayed at the entrance to the Library Leaders Reading Room, also known as the Quiet Reading Room.