(via the Illinois Library Association)
Stacey Knight-Davis, Head of Library Technology Services at Eastern Illinois University’s Booth Library, receives the 2019 Illinois Library Association (ILA) Reference Services Award, which is awarded annually for excellence in providing assistance to library users as they seek and use information. The award is sponsored by Ancel Glink.
One example of Knight-Davis’ dedication to assisting users is her work with STEP (Students with Autism Transitional Education Program), a specialized support program for students with Autism. Knight-Davis began this project by interviewing Autistic students to learn if the library was effective in assisting them with their informational needs. She then took the feedback provided in those interviews to improve library services and spaces.
Providing cultural and educational value, Knight-Davis has spearheaded a number of exhibits, including a Quidditch display for “Twenty Year of Harry Potter: Celebrating a Phenomenon” and “Designs of Duty,” a traveling exhibit on Illinois veterans and theirservice-related tattoos that received national recognition.
Students, faculty and community members rely on Knight-Davis technical acumen to assist in troubleshooting software, equipment and other technology-related services. Furthermore, she routinely visits courses to ensure students are locating the information they need, and she is always eager to provide support.
Knight-Davis has published a chapter in the book The Evolution of Affordable Content Efforts in the Higher Education Environment on faculty-library collaboration without assigned textbooks. This publication speaks to the campus-wide program she plannedand developed called “The Flu Then and Now.” Professional roles include committee work for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Great Midwest Technology Working Group and serving as president of Health Science Librarians of Illinois. Because of her commitment to providing specialized services for library users, Stacey Knight-Davis is extremely deserving of this year’s ILA Reference Services Award.
The Reference Services Award will be presented at the Awards Luncheon to be held on Tuesday, October 22, during the 2019 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference in Tinley Park.