Last week, the Grand Valley State University Libraries won an annual award previously bestowed upon institutions such the Wake Forest University library (2011) and the University of Arizona library (2001).

The “Excellence in Academic Libraries Award” is presented each year from the Association of College and Research Libraries to a university library, a college library and a community college library. Each institution applies for the award, and GVSU was chosen as the university library honoree.

“I believe we won because we have talented, innovative and dedicated library staff members who collaborate regularly to do amazing things…” said Lee Van Orsdel, dean of university libraries.

Lori Goetsch, who was the chair of the ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award Committee, also cited collaboration and the reinvention of the library in the face of a tough economy as reasons for GVSU’s win.

The library has won a $3,000 gift, as has Champlain College, the college library winner, and Seattle Central Community College, the community college winner. Van Orsdel said the library has not yet determined how the $3,000 will be spent.

According to the ACRL website, the committee was looking for “those libraries that are most exemplary in their outstanding support of the mission of their institution.”

Van Orsdel submitted the application on GVSU’s behalf.

In the application, she said, “(We) have built a strong and flexible culture in the Libraries to ensure that good ideas get heard, resources are reallocated to serve our priorities, and staff and faculty get ongoing library-funded access to professional development.”

The application included much information about how GVSU’s libraries have changed as technology has changed the way students use the library.

“While (librarians) continue to work with students or faculty individually through consultations, they no longer spend time waiting for questions to come to them at a traditional reference desk,” Van Orsdel wrote. “Instead, their focus is on outreach, teaching, and working with campus partners.”

There was also a section about the forthcoming Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, in addition to portions about sustainability and professional development.

“A colleague at Wake Forest announced to her student body that winning this award is like winning the NCAA Championship for Academic Libraries,” Van Orsdel said. “That’s not a bad analogy, and it certainly captures our pride in having our work recognized in this way.”

To see more about the award and view GVSU’s application, visit the “Excellence in Academic Libraries Award” at www.ala.org/acrl/awards/achievementawards/excellenceacademic.

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