May 12, 2014 FEDLINK Announces Annual Awards for Federal Librarianship

The Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) has announced the winners of its national awards for federal librarianship, which recognize the many innovative ways that federal libraries, librarians and library technicians fulfill the information demands of government, business and scholarly communities and the American public.

FEDLINK will honor the 2013 award winners at the 2014 FEDLINK Spring Exposition on May 13 at the Library of Congress in Washington, where the winners will receive their awards from the Library’s Associate Librarian for Library Services, Roberta I. Shaffer. The names of the winners will remain on permanent display in the FEDLINK offices at the Library of Congress.

Federal libraries and staff throughout the United States and abroad competed for the awards. The winners are listed below.

2013 Federal Library/Information Center of the Year

Large Library/Information Center (with a staff of 11 or more federal and/or contract employees): Information Services Office (ISO), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Md., is recognized for its leadership role in supporting and enhancing the research activities of the NIST scientific and technological community through a comprehensive program of knowledge management. In response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy memorandum on public access to publications and data, ISO developed a NIST roadmap of methods and best practices for making NIST’s research results—including a legacy collection of agency technical publications—visible and accessible to researchers worldwide. Staff members also created a data dictionary, evaluated data asset management tools, developed outreach strategies to engage researchers in data management activities, and established a development area for NIST scientists to experiment with tools. The repurposed corner of the Information Commons houses new self-service equipment – data visualization tools, a 3-D scanner and 3-D printers. Staff members also implemented a new business model to improve rapid access to licensed content that reduced costs and staffing commitments.

Small Library/Information Center (with a staff of 10 or fewer federal and/or contract employees): Joint Base Librar-e and Resource Commons (JB LRC) of the 87th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., is recognized for providing access to high-quality information and materials for service members, civilians and the community in support of mission readiness, academic development and quality of life. The JB LRC combined a complete library transformation and massive technology refresh to improve the lives of 118,335 patrons who serve and have served the military. The staff reformed its 18,000 square-foot space by streamlining 30,000 items and reconfiguring shelving to improve operational efficiencies, service visibility, and traffic flow. Eighteen new ADA-compliant computer stations were procured and installed for wounded warriors. In collaboration with seven educational institutions, the JB LRC established a joint base volunteer tutoring network to offer research assistance for patrons requiring critical academic support. Finally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the facility suffered flooding which affected shelving, furniture, library materials and library technology. The staff modified its space to accommodate use as a Federal Emergency Management Agency control center for 16 days, all while maintaining regular service hours and making repairs and maintenance to JB LRC furnishings and materials.

2013 Federal Library Technician of the Year

Brandan Carroll, Library Technician, Veterans Health Administration / Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 (VISN1), Bedford, Mass., is recognized for exceptional technical competency and commitment to service excellence. Carroll has also demonstrated an outstanding ability with new technology to improve VISN1 library services, to create new offerings for patrons, and to empower colleagues to improve work processes. He established and activated 120 e-journal subscriptions from content providers’ sites for VISN-wide access. In addition, in a cross-departmental effort to increase awareness of library e-resources, Carroll developed a training program and resources guide for VISN1 regional program staff. He also was instrumental in the organization and implementation of the VISN1 Knowledge Information Service Strategic Plan. Throughout fiscal year 2013, he consistently and diligently demonstrated leadership and creativity in conceiving and implementing innovative ideas.

For the latest information on the awards, please see the FEDLINK website, www.loc.gov/flicc/.

The Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) is an organization of federal agencies working together to achieve optimum use of the resources and facilities of federal libraries and information centers by promoting common services, coordinating and sharing available resources, and providing continuing professional education for federal library and information staff. FEDLINK serves as a forum for discussion of the policies, programs, procedures and technologies that affect federal libraries and the information services they provide to their agencies, to the Congress, to the federal courts and to the American people.