SCRLC Member of the Year Award

Presented to a SCRLC member that has been doing outstanding work on behalf of their community, however “community” is defined and on behalf of SCRLC.

Matthew Roslund, Medical Librarian at Bassett Healthcare

Matthew provides library services to three hospitals. He is the go-to person for Excel for his organization, leads some HR training with clarity and aplomb, and provides information literacy sessions for nursing students, including at ONC BOCES. He is the Secretary of our Board of Trustees and Chairs the Nominating & Board Development Committee. He is also an active member of our Hospital Library Services Program Advisory Committee where he advises on numerous topics and works with us to interpret electronic resources statistics. He is always a phone call away for other hospital librarians who might need help with a DOCLINE/SERHOLD routing table or some other aspect of hospital/medical librarianship.  Additionally, he gave the inaugural presentation for our HLSP Lunch and Learn series titled "What is a Medical Librarian?" Recently, in addition to serving three hospitals, he took on the librarian duties for NY Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health.

Excellence in Action Award

Presented to outstanding staff—directors, librarians, assistants, cultural organization workers--who are doing amazing work that makes a difference in their community, however “community” is defined.

Lori Fuller, Senior Manager of Library Operations and Collections Management, Rakow Library, Corning Museum of Glass

Lori led the monumental project to evaluate, configure, and implement a digital collections platform which allows them to provide access to researchers looking for information on glass both locally and around the world. Lori has, along with her team, made 17,000+ (as of October 2024) digital materials accessible to anyone using their online catalog.

Excellence in Action Award

Alison True, Library Circulation Supervisor, Ithaca College Library

Alison consistently goes out of her way to make students and guests of the Ithaca College Library feel welcome. Over the past year she has dedicated time and effort to make library displays, interact with and support student workers, and initiate and participate in events that encourage community in the library and across the campus. One notable activity was establishing a connection with New Student and Transition Programs and collaborating to host a Library Mini-Golf event to welcome new students to the IC campus and Library.

Defender of Intellectual Freedom Award

Intellectual freedom is crucial in a democracy. This award acknowledges the strong and important work that a director, librarian, assistant, cultural organization worker, or community member has engaged in over the past year. A few examples: Standing up against book banning, helping to create policies in support of intellectual freedom, serving on panels, or providing testimony.

Southern Tier Library System

In the past year, two member libraries of the Southern Tier Library System faced book challenges. STLS helped prepare their members for these challenges with comprehensive training. When the book challenges arose, STLS staff was there with support and resources. Beyond that, STLS's repeated celebration of those library staff and board members on the front line of difficult book challenges in their system communications and events fostered a palpable unity of purpose and support.

Community Engagement Award

For a library, library system, hospital, or cultural organization that has successfully engaged the community—through a special program, series, marketing campaign, video, or outstanding exhibit.

Melanie Miller, Library Director of the Alfred Box of Books with supporting roles from AU Libraries and Hinkle Library (Alfred State College)

Melanie Miller initiated and led a collaborative community program between the Alfred Box of Books Library, Alfred University Libraries and Hinkle Library at SUNY Alfred State. They collectively planned a community read program: One Book One Alfred. The first community read was held in the fall of 2022 and based on its success, they held a follow-up in spring of 2023, and have a third planned for 2025.

Prism Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility

For a director, librarian, assistant, cultural organization worker—or their organization—who did strong work in advancing DEIJA this past year. A few examples: Conducting a DEI audit, implementing structural changes, actively becoming antiracist, launching an inclusive exhibit, reimagining policies to be inclusive, updating classification numbers, or offering a diverse workshop series or program.

Binghamton University Libraries

The Binghamton University Libraries have several major DEI initiatives, including a decolonizing collections working group for ongoing efforts to diversify their collections and archives. Librarians work to amplify underrepresented voices in the student body, among alumni, and within their subject guides. They collaborate with campus partners with shared DEI missions and the library is the home to the Office of IDEA whose purpose is to ensure all people feel a sense of belonging to safely present their authentic selves.

Prism Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility

Maria Planansky, Collection Management Librarian, Kevin Adams Information Literacy Librarian, Alfred University Libraries

Maria Planansky and Kevin Adams have been engaged in a long-term research project that has brought attention and action to the relationship between the prison industrial complex and library furniture manufacturing. The Department of Corrections manufacturer is SUNY’s preferred vendor for furniture. Maria and Kevin have been raising awareness of the exploitation of prison labor through numerous presentations and they have published their research. They drafted a set of ethical purchasing guidelines that has helped the AU libraries divest from prison labor.

This year's awards were presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Wednesday, October 30th at Cornell's Lab of Ornithology. Thank you to all who attended.