DECATUR — Van Buren District Library Director David Tate announced Monday that three library employees are being honored as Employees of the Year for 2010.

District delivery drivers Blaine Rex and Dick Majewski and administrative assistant Tracy Smola, all of Decatur, received the award at the library’s annual holiday luncheon.

According to Tate, Rex and Majewski are all-around “good guys” who move hundreds of thousands of books and other materials around the district library system each year.

“It takes a lot of skill and teamwork to get materials ready for the delivery shelf. It also takes skill and professionalism to get these materials from one location to another.

“Thanks to Blaine and Dick, thousands of library users get their books, magazines and DVDs in a timely manner,” Tate said.

Tate also commended the drivers for their impeccable safety record.

Longtime employee Tracy Smola is a three-peat as Employee of the Year.

The library’s administrative assistant also received the award in 1989 and in 2003.

Tate says Smola is at her best when organizing and distributing board-related materials, managing circulation records and the library’s financial and payroll accounts; and maintaining personnel records for each of the district’s employees.

He says her creative talents shine when planning the district’s special events. “Tracy was tireless in her efforts to help pull together the 50th anniversary events for Webster Memorial Library in 2010. She designed and printed the invitations and programs, helped select colors and decorations, assisted with menus and helped set-up and clean up for the dinner program and open house.”

The honorees receive a certificate of appreciation and a monetary gift from Friends of the Van Buren District Library.  Van Buren District Library is headquartered in Decatur with branches in Bangor, Bloomingdale, Covert, Gobles, Lawrence and Mattawan.