The West Virginia University Library Faculty Assembly has selected Linda Blake, science librarian and electronic journal coordinator for the WVU Libraries, as the Outstanding Librarian for 2010.
The triennial award recognizes a faculty librarian who has made exceptional contributions toward the delivery, development or expansion of library services or special programs for the constituencies of WVU.
“Linda exemplifies the very best in traditional librarianship while remaining alert to new technologies and trends,” said Penny Pugh, head of the WVU Downtown Library reference department.
“Linda possesses a breadth of vision, coupled with a keen analytical mind, and she is extraordinarily productive.”
The Faculty Assembly recognized Blake for her tireless work managing the Libraries’ electronic journals collection, her work as a bibliographer for numerous science departments, her commitment to teaching and her dedication to the profession.
Blake’s leadership has significantly improved access to the Libraries’ ever-expanding electronic journal collection.
She was instrumental in the Libraries purchase of a management system that allows usage tracking and better content linking. Blake’s sustained collaboration with faculty in geology and geography, biology and chemistry has become a model for instruction of information literacy and research skills.
In 2009, she collaborated with Associate Professor Tim Warner of geology and geography when he was awarded a grant to improve his course “Introduction to Remote Sensing,” by developing a module on information literacy. Dr. Warner credits Blake’s work on the course for improving students’ research habits and the overall quality of their research papers.
Faculty members from the departments of geology and geography, chemistry, physics, math and biology praise Blake’s efforts as a department liaison and instructor.
Associate Professor of chemistry George O’Doherty wrote that her collection development work has “truly expanded our department’s access to the chemical literature. There is no doubt in my mind that these efforts by Linda have made us a better chemistry teaching and research university.”
Geography Professor Gregory A. Elmes wrote: “Linda has helped us manage our limited budget to maximum effect for library acquisitions.”
Donna Ford-Werntz, associate professor of biology, wrote: “She is genuinely concerned that all learn to make best use of the library resources for their research projects. She goes beyond expectations in reaching out to educate and serve her constituents.”
Blake has also been quite active off campus. Through her work with the West Virginia Library Association and American Library Association, she has done much to promote libraries in the region and nation. She has been an active member of the state association since 1984 and recently competed a several year term as the West Virginia Councilor to the American Library Association.
Blake came to the WVU Libraries in 1997. Previously, she managed the library at the NASA facility in Fairmont. She received her bachelor’s of arts in English and library science from Glenville State College and her master’s of library science from the University of Kentucky.
The WVU Libraries will hold a reception to honor Blake in June.
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CONTACT: Monte Maxwell, WVU Libraries
304-293-0306, Monte.Maxwell@mail.wvu.edu
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