Kansas State University

Three K-State Libraries employees recognized for excellence

Submitted by Sarah McGreer Hoyt

K-State Libraries honored several employees for outstanding contributions at its annual recognition ceremony on March 31.

Lori Goetsch, dean of Libraries, said, "I'd like to extend congratulations to the three winners and to all who were nominated. It's so gratifying to see our excellent staff and faculty receive recognition for the valuable work they do to serve K-State and its community."

Michelle Turvey-Welch, metadata, preservation and digital initiatives department head, was honored as this year's recipient of the Brice G. Hobrock Distinguished Faculty Award. Annually, the award acknowledges outstanding librarianship and superior accomplishments among the K-State Libraries faculty.

Turvey-Welc was recognized especially for her work on two major projects: coordinating the move of 330,000 K-State Libraries items from a site in Lawrence to the new annex in Manhattan, and preparation of data for an upcoming system migration. One nominator noted that while both of these projects are "behind the scenes," they are vital to all library users.

"Much of Michelle's work does not have a public face, but everyone would have a difficult time using our materials if they were not organized and accessible. Even with her heavy workload and serving as department head, she has managed to contribute to the profession through work on library committees and task forces."

Janice Barrons, interlibrary services coordinator, was selected for the Dean's Award, which recognizes a nontenure-track unclassified professional's contributions to K-State Libraries in the previous two academic years.

One of her nominators wrote, "If ever there was a person who embodied what it means to be a part of the K-State family, it would be Janice Barrons. She fosters an environment that promotes creativity, and her leadership not only hails praise from students, staff and faculty ... but also from the academic community at large."

The third award recipient was Felisa Osburn, library assistant II for the undergraduate and community services department. Osburn was selected for the 2014 Support Staff of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding support staff member's contributions to K-State Libraries in the previous year.

According to her nominator, Osburn's service to K-State Libraries goes above and beyond performing her day-to day responsibilities. In particular, she has been a devoted and exemplary member of the recruitment team.

Each winner receives a monetary prize and their names are added to plaques in K-State Libraries. The Brice G. Hobrock Distinguished Faculty Award was established by the Friends of the K-State Libraries to honor Dean Emeritus Hobrock upon his retirement in 2004. The Friends also sponsor the Support Staff of the Year Award.