: For Students, Faculty, and Staff 
The University of Minnesota Libraries are bringing in the cupcakes and trumpets to celebrate winning this year’s prestigious Excellence in Academic Libraries Award. The Libraries have received the award, a national tribute to a library and its staff, in recognition of their success integrating their expertise and resources into the life of the campus. Sponsored by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL, a division of the American Library Association) and Blackwell’s Book Services, the $3,000 award and a plaque will be presented by ACRL President Erika Linke to Provost Tom Sullivan and University Librarian Wendy Pradt Lougee at a 3:00 p.m. ceremony on Wednesday, April 22 in Walter Library.
The recognition culminates a multi-year process of transformation. “The libraries understand the importance of the process of conducting scholarship and have implemented programs to support behaviors rather than product,” said Pamela Snelson, chair of the 2009 Excellence in Academic Libraries Selection Committee and college librarian at Franklin & Marshall College. “By ‘getting in the flow of users,’ the libraries have moved out of their comfort zone and shifted into an engagement-centered model for all library services and programs.”
“Through careful planning, creative energy, and hard work, we now have a highly visible and highly valued position on campus and strong reputation for leadership in the profession. To have our staff’s innovative work recognized by the ACRL community is quite simply wonderful,” said Lougee.
Refreshments will be served beginning at 3:00 in Walter Library’s Great Hall; the award presentation will begin at 3:15. The campus community and members of the public are welcome to attend.