ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


April 1 9 9 7  /  2 6 9

Ja m e s N eal re c e iv e s  ACRL’s h ig h est honor

Jam es G. Neal, director o f libraries at Joh n s 
H opkin s U niversity, B a ltim o re, has b e e n  
named the 1997 ACRL Academic/ 
Research Librarian o f the Year. Neal 
will receive the award ($3,000 and 
a citation) at a reception given in 
h is  h o n o r  o n  J u n e  3 0 , 1 9 9 7 , 
4:30– 6:00 p.m., at the ALA Annual 
Conference in San Francisco. Baker 
& Taylor Books sponsors the re­
ception and donates the cash award 
and citation.

In n om inating Neal, his c o l­
leagues said, “Neal is committed to Jam es G. Neal
cutting edge exploration as vital to 
the future o f libraries. He also retains a sensi­
tivity to the traditional base o f libraries. He 
uses his intelligence, energy, excitement about 
libraries, and strong people skills to lead and 
challenge all o f us to be better, more effec­
tive librarians.”

In selecting Neal for this honor, commit­
tee chair Ann Prentice said, “Jam es Neal’s in­
fluence extends well beyond his own institu­
tion. He is currently a m em b er o f ALA’s 
Executive Board and, in 1996, represented ALA 
at the W IPO meeting in Geneva. His under­
standing o f the role o f the library as key to 
the process o f teaching, learning, and co n ­
ducting research is broad and encom passes 
an understanding o f the positive uses o f tech ­
nology, the importance o f an empowered staff, 
and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of 
library users.

“Jam es Neal is persuasive, articulate, and 
influential as he speaks and writes on behalf 
o f libraries. His outstanding skills, com pre­
hensive knowledge, personal touch, and suc­
cess in getting things done m ake Jam es Neal 
a most worthy recipient o f the award.”

Neal’s career over the past 24 years has 
included positions as dean o f University Li­
braries at Indiana University (1 9 8 9 -9 5 ); assis­
tant dean and head o f the Reference and In­
structional Services Division at Pennsylvania 
State University (1983– 89); assistant director 
for Memorial Library public services (1982–83), 
head o f the Collection Management Depart­
ment (1979– 81), and head o f the College Li­
brary Department (1977– 7 9) at the University

o f Notre Dame; and social sciences librarian at 
Queensborough Community College, City Col­

lege o f New York (1973–76).
A colleague w ho worked with 

Neal while he was at Indiana Uni­
versity said, “Neal’s w ork in Indi­
ana can serve as a wonderful ex ­
ample o f how he operates. He has 
w on the highest award o f the Indi­
ana Library Federation for leader­
ship in creating a statewide net­
w o r k , p r o v id in g  r e c o g n iz e d  
leadership at the last White House 
C onference, working with legisla­
tive issues, and leading Indiana li­

brarians into a defined vision o f their future.”
Neal was also cited for his involvement in 

a wide range o f professional organizations. 
Within ALA he is currently a m em ber o f the 
ALA Executive Board (1 9 9 4 – 2000) and the 
Planning and Budget Assembly (1995– 97) and 
is cochair o f the LITA/LAMA National Confer­
en ce Networking/Technology Subcommittee 
and a m em ber o f the LITA/LAMA National 
Conference Steering Committee (1994– 97). He 
has also served on ACRL’s C&RL Editorial 
Board (1990– 96), LAMA’s Executive Commit­
tee (1991– 94), and ALA’s International Rela­
tions Committee (1990– 94). Outside ALA he 
has held positions o f leadership in the Asso­
ciation o f Research Libraries, the Coalition for 
Networked Information, the Committee on 
Institutional Cooperation, and the International 
Federation o f Library Associations.

The Academic/Research Librarian o f the 
Year Award is given annually to recognize an 
individual w ho is making an outstanding co n ­
tribution to academ ic or research librarian­
ship and library development. Previous win­
ners include: Ralph Russell (1 9 9 6 ), Jo se p h  
Boissé (1995), Irene B. Hoadley (1994), Will­
iam A. Moffett (1993), and Carla Stoffle (1992).

To receive information on the ACRL Aca­
demic/Research Librarian o f the Y ear Award 
contact Ja c k  Briody, ACRL/ALA, 50 E. Huron 
St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795; (800) 545-2433, 
ext. 2516 or e-mail: jbriody@ala.org. The nomi­
nation procedures for all ACRL awards are 
available online at http://www.ala.org/acrl/ 
award2.html.—J a c k  Briody, ACRL ■

mailto:jbriody@ala.org
http://www.ala.org/acrl/