The Library Travel, Training and Development Committee of Fondren Library is pleased to announce the seventeenth awarding of the Shapiro Library Staff Innovation Award. This monetary award comes from an endowed fund set up by the estate of Dr. Beth Shapiro who was University Librarian at Fondren Library from January 1991 until her death in 1995. She received Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in sociology from Michigan State University between 1968 and 1982. Prior to coming to Rice, she was employed at the Michigan State University Libraries where she was Deputy Director. Dr. Shapiro was professionally active in numerous library organizations for more than twenty years, contributing regularly to the professional literature and serving on many boards and committees.
The purpose of the award is to recognize either a Fondren Library staff member or group who has developed an innovative program to provide library services at Rice University or has shown exemplary service to the University community. Although in the past the Shapiro Award has been given only to individuals, many Fondren groups are making significant and innovative contributions. Therefore, nominations for groups consisting of up to eight Fondren staff members will also be considered.
Nominations for this award may be made by any member of the Fondren Library staff (including self-nominations) or by any member of the University community. It is also acceptable for a library staff member to nominate a group in which he/she is a member. To nominate an individual or group, please fill out the online nomination form available at https://library.rice.edu/shapiro-award.
The deadline for nominations is Friday March 9, 2018. An Award Selection Committee comprised of the chair of the selection committee, two volunteer members from the Fondren Library staff (one professional and one paraprofessional), one member from the Rice University faculty, and one Fondren Library student worker will review the nominations and select a recipient or recipients of the award. No member of the Award Selection Committee will be eligible for the award while serving on that committee.
The award will be presented at a public ceremony in April or May by the Vice Provost and University Librarian.