Collection management librarian wins Piercy Award

Alison M. Armstrong
Alison M. Armstrong

Alison M. Armstrong of McConnell Library won the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) Esther J. Piercy Award for 2018.

The award is given in memory of Esther J. Piercy, who was editor of the “Journal of Cataloging and Classification” from 1950-56 and of “Library Resources & Technical Services” from 1957-67, and recognizes contributions in library collections and technical services by a librarian with fewer than 10 years of professional service. The award was first given in 1969.

“It recognizes some of the work that I’ve done in terms of collection development and professional service,” Armstrong said. “Because the focus is on young career librarians, it’s nice to get that recognition that you are doing things and have potential. The feeling is that you’ll be able to do more in the future.”

Armstrong was originally nominated by Kay Johnson, head of collection and technical services for McConnell Library, in 2015, and was kept in the pool of nominees each year by Johnson.

At Radford, Armstrong works to ensure that there is a collection of items and databases that fit the users’ needs. Part of the challenge is prioritizing the resource needs of the students, faculty and staff of Radford University.

“We try to fit the collection to the curriculum, usually by providing supplementary materials to the students,” she said. “We support their research needs as well as faculty members.”

Also included in the award criteria are professional achievements. In addition to Armstrong’s work at Radford University, she teaches two ALCTS web courses, serves on the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA)Collections Committee as a four-year institution representative and serves as the chair of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Board of Trustees.

Feb 27, 2018
Max Esterhuizen
540-831-7749
westerhuizen@radford.edu