Bob Hamilton

Committee member Pat Zollner presents Bob Hamilton with the Outstanding Performance Award

It is not easy to keep a library’s print collection in great condition. Neither is it easy to foretell future options for our print material. But if we ask Bob Hamilton he would give us his detailed and insightful views in response. Attention to detail and keeping a close scrutiny on matters affecting the library resources and its users are hallmarks that govern Bob’s daily efforts.

As technology forces changes in print vs. online, large jobs like shifting and cleaning the collection take on greater importance; Bob takes on these tasks with little fanfare. Our users’ safety is paramount when in the library – Bob Hamilton was the only one to notice that the journal shelves on Level 4 did not have their horizontal stabilizing bars secured since the stacks had been moved during carpet replacement. Those stabilizer bars help the stacks remain upright in case of tremors. No one else thinks to check on these kinds of issues, but this kind of close scrutiny is natural for Bob.

For his dedication and close attention to detail, Becker Library colleagues recognize Bob Hamilton with an Outstanding Performance Award.

Kristi Holmes

Kristi Holmes receives her Bright Idea Award from Committee member Lilla Vekerdy

NCBI Field Guide presentations are not new. However, Kristi Holmes suggested bringing one back to St. Louis and the Washington University Medical School. The suggestion was opportune, and the resulting NCBI course has had a significant impact at the medical school and on the Library’s Bioinformatics program initiatives. The three day NCBI field guide provided lecture and hands-on training to approximately 300 individuals across the medical center, most significantly to the research community.

As a result, the Library’s Bioinformatics Support team of Lili Wang and Kristi Holmes has had overwhelming response and requests for classes and services. The NCBI itself has commended the Library and stated that this had been the most successful Field Guide in the last eight years; they hope to host some additional courses/workshops at Washington University School of Medicine next spring.

For her idea and efforts in making the NCBI Field Guide presentation a success, Becker Library colleagues present Kristi Holmes with a Bright Idea award.

Martha Riley

Martha Riley accepts her Bright Idea Award from Committee member Sandy Hoffmann

The initiative to purchase the ST200 DFT microfilm viewer-scanner was not something out of the blue, but represented a characteristic of thoughtful consideration and evaluation of new technology and techniques with application to Library functions, particularly in Archives and Rare Books. Having seen the machine on display at an annual meeting of the Society of American Archives, Martha Riley took the initiative to arrange for a demonstration at the Library and that led to our obtaining the ST200.

The brief series of events typify Martha’s recognition that the specific machine was exactly what was needed to transition between information technologies where the library has important collections and investments in archives and historic books and her wise use of a professional meeting opportunity.

For her bright idea and initiative, Becker Library colleagues present Martha Riley with a Bright Idea Award.

Cathy Sarli

Cathy Sarli receives her Outstanding Performance Award from Committee member Misty Carney

Since December 2006 Cathy Sarli has worked to enhance the Library’s Scholarly Communications program. In that time she has:

• developed materials to assist WUSM authors in complying with the NIH Public Access Policy
• established a relationship with the General Counsel’s Office on copyright issues
• worked closely with web developers to create new web-based resource pages on Scholarly Communication issues
• organized and nurtured a relationship with Olin Library on the Danforth Campus to build a University-wide approach to Scholarly Communication issues
• submitted a successful application to send a University team to the ACRL/ARL Scholarly Communication Institute

In less than one year the library’s scholarly communication support to faculty and staff has grown tremendously.

For her dedicated efforts in developing the Scholarly Communications program, Becker Library colleagues recognize Cathy Sarli for her Outstanding Performance.

Rosalie Uchanski, Ph.D.

Committee chair Neville Prendergast presents the Community Spirit Award to Dr. Rosalie Uchanski

Our Library Liaison program is essentially library based, and is an effort to reach out to faculty and staff. When we do find faculty that are considered an invaluable resource to our liaison efforts then it is fitting to call that person an ardent library supporter. This support is in the form of feedback on various matters, suggestions for possible new services or resources for the liaison program, and promotion of the library’s programs to fellow colleagues and the departmental chair, along with lots of encouragement for them to utilize the liaison services.

Additionally this individual serves on a Becker Library advisory panel for Scholarly Communication. Although a departmental conflict prevented her from accompanying in the Becker Library team to the recent ARL Scholarly Communication Institute, she participated in the pre-conference preparations, and is determined to work with us in implementing recommendations that result from the Institute.

For her outstanding assistance to the Library in meeting its service mission, Dr. Rosalie Uchanski is invited to accept the Community Spirit Award as part of the Library’s Peer Recognition Program.