Nancy Huling, head of the Reference and Research Services Division of the University of Washington Libraries, has been selected as the 2009 winner of the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) 2009 Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award.
The award recognizes distinguished contributions to reference librarianship. Huling, who also serves on the faculty of the University of Washington iSchool, was selected for her leadership in the field, including her past service as RUSA president (2004-05) and her current work as chair of the OCLC QuestionPoint Users Council. Her innovative approach to reference services, her scholarship and her teaching and mentoring activities were also cited as reasons for her selection.
“In her work, Nancy exhibits passion for and dedication to the field of reference that excites and motivates others,” said Teresa Omidsalar, award committee chair and education librarian at the University Library, California State University, Los Angeles. “She also leads by example, modeling professional reference service ideals, standards and behaviors.” Omidsalar said the impact of this leadership is broad: “She has advised and counseled a legion of librarians, students and staff. Students speak of her with enthusiasm and reverence. She is also a tireless advocate for better reference services for not only patrons at her university’s library, but in the greater library world.”
Huling will receive her award—a $5,000 cash prize—at the RUSA Awards Ceremony and Reception, scheduled for 3:30-5:30 p.m., Monday, July 13, as a part of ALA’s Annual Conference events. The exact location of this event will be announced on the RUSA website and at this blog in late spring.
