(via Gwen Gregory, IACRL President)
Tracy Seneca, Clinical Associate Professor and Digital Programs and Services Librarian, was awarded the Center for Research Libraries 2016 Primary Source Award in Access for her leadership of the Explore Chicago Collections initiative. Explore Chicago Collections is a web portal that enables researchers to freely search the special collections and archives of Chicago area libraries, museums and archives. Tracy has been working with Chicago Collections members since 2011 to make their rich historical and cultural resources easily findable through the website search box.
The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) presents the Primary Source Awards to recognize innovative uses of primary source materials by faculty, librarians and library staff, students, and other researchers in the CRL community. Nominations are accepted in three areas: access, research, and teaching. The Access award is presented to a library staff or faculty member whose work in promoting primary source materials individually or in collaborative initiatives has resulted in expanded discovery, appreciation, and usage, ultimately having a significant impact on research or instruction. Explore Chicago Collections is used in formal education and research, but also promotes serendipitous discovery and use of manuscripts, photographs, and other primary research materials.