The Silas Bronson Library’s Waterbury Hall of Fame Committee announces the annual call for nominations of new candidates for inclusion in the Waterbury Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is comprised of Waterbury natives and residents who have made a significant impact on the city’s history or who have achieved recognition for their accomplishments throughout the city, state, country or world.
   Nomination forms are available online at www.bronsonlibrary.org/hall. They may also be obtained at the library’s Main Reading Room Reference Desk, or by telephoning 203-574-8225. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 1.
Hall of Fame notables include award-winning actress Rosalind Russell, baseball star Jimmy Piersall, actress, singer and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, astronaut Rick Mastracchio, AIDS researcher Dr. Robert Gallo, and the Venerable Rev. Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.
   The Hall of Fame framed plaques are on display right next door to the library in the Courtyard (Lower) Level of City Hall at 235 Grand Street. The Hall of Fame was originally housed at the Brass Mill Center and later moved to the Howland-Hughes Center on Bank Street. “The original intention was to someday exhibit the Waterbury Hall of Fame at the library,” said Library Director Raechel Guest, “but the most of the library walls not already lined with book shelves are made of glass. We’re so pleased to be able to display the Hall of Fame next door at City Hall.” The honoree plaques are displayed in the order of the year in which they were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
   The Hall of Fame was initiated by the late Michael DeLeo, Silas Bronson Library reference librarian. While compiling the third edition of “The Waterbury Fact Book,” a library publication of historical information on the city, DeLeo was impressed by the significant accomplishments of a considerable number of Waterburians. Although their achievements were often recognized throughout the state, nation and the world, they were frequently unknown and unsung locally. DeLeo’s proposal that these noteworthy individuals should be acknowledged publicly, prominently and permanently in a Waterbury Hall of Fame was adopted by the library Board of Agents in March, 1996.
   The Hall of Fame Committee consists of nine members appointed by the library’s Board of Agents. The committee selects honorees to be inducted into the Hall of Fame during an election in May. The honorees are then confirmed and announced by the Board. The induction ceremony, which is open to the public, is held in the fall. The Hall of Fame is funded equally by the library and the Friends of the Silas Bronson Library.
   The Silas Bronson Library is the public library of the City of Waterbury. Located at 267 Grand Street, the Library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays from Labor Day to Memorial Day, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www.bronsonlibrary.org.