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ACRL Appointments Committee: Committee Volunteer Information: Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award Committee

Those interested in volunteering for an ACRL Division-Level Committee will find all the information they need to research committee options, including the work of each committee and the time commitments expected for volunteers.

What is the name of the ACRL committee on which you are reporting?

ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award Committee

What is the main work of your committee?

The ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding member of the library profession who has made a significant national or international contribution to academic or research librarianship and library development.

What are the busy times of year for your committee?

June and August

On average, what time commitment does being a member of your committee require?

This committee typically meets only once a year, and the time commitment is usually no more than a few hours at least three months out of the year.

What skills or expertise would be valuable in a member of your committee?

Experience being on committees in organizations where you evaluate people for things like jobs, awards, positions, grants, and so forth.

People who have worked not only in academic but also public libraries, and not just in urban but also rural libraries (so they can see the "gaps" in service, etc).

What is the most enjoyable aspect of the committee’s work, from your perspective?

Working with great librarians in other parts of the country, seeing what great librarianship looks like.

Is there anything else someone thinking of volunteering for your committee should know?

It's not that hard. It's basically a checklist to determine the three best candidates, or so, and then debating/discussing as a team who should receive the award. That's been the process, so far, anyway.