Spirit of Librarianship and Fantastic FIMS Fall 2018

The Spirit of Librarianship Award is given to a Master of Library and Information Science student to celebrate the contributions they bring to the program. The award is meant to recognize the student who best exemplifies "the spirit of librarianship" in their daily life as student. The criteria for the award is based on a steadfast presence, positive collegial support, administrative contribution, a willingness to help whenever a need arises, and an interest in fellow students. Any current MLIS student is eligible, except those on co-op, those who have previously received the award, and those on the Spirit of Librarianship committee.

The Fantastic FIMS will be awarded to a member of the MLIS staff or faculty to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions that they bring to the program in terms of social support and administrative savvy. It is to be awarded to the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and professional progression in their daily life as a member of faculty or staff. It is based on a steadfast presence, positive collegial support, administrative contribution, public service and networking. It would include those who exude a compassion for the general well being of students, fostering and supporting their professional potential in daily practice.

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* 1. Email address

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* 2. Please select the individual you believe best merits the Spirit of Librarianship award.

Emily George -- I am nominating Emily George, for her early (and continuing) activity on the Facebook group. She's the most likely to answer other students' "How do I do this?" / "Where can I find this?" questions on the Facebook group, and always in such a correct and clear manner. She is so damn helpful!

Sid Abdullahi -- I am nominating Sid Abdullahi for the Spirit of Librarianship award. He embodies all of the qualities listed in the description for the award. He is collegial with all his classmates and eager to help. He is motivated to work with people and support both patrons and colleagues within the public library sector.

Michael Myers -- Michael Myers is a student who shows his passion for this program and the library community in everything he does. He is a reliable friend, classmate and group member. In a group setting he is hardworking, supportive, and welcoming to all. He is dedicated and goal orientated which has allowed him to be the successful individual he is. He shares this dedication with everyone around him by encouraging them to be the best version of themselves. While working as a Library Technician at Conestoga College, he still manages to successfully balance a full course load. His bright outlook on life is truly inspiring. Even in the most stressful situations, Michael emits a positive light that touches everyone around him. I could not imagine a more deserving individual for this award.

Chao Chen -- I would like to nominate Chao Chen for the Spirit of Librarianship. Chao is an outstanding MLIS candidate. He has PhD degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. He demonstrated his remarkable research skills and relevant academic acquaintance within group work. He participated and shared his unique opinions in classes. Chao has strong time management skills that he has balanced full-time studies (taking 5 courses) with at least two volunteer works in libraries as well as his family. Chao is super nice and easy to work with. He is friendly to help and support his colleagues. He has positive attitude all the time. Chao truly embodies the spirit of librarianship. He is seeking an opportunity to bloom science librarian role and cares about the future of librarianship, providing effective academic services. Chao’s dedication and kindness totally deserve the Spirit of Librarianship award!

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* 3. Please select the individual you believe best merits the Fantastic FIMS award.

Dr. Paulette Rothbauer -- Dr. Rothbauer is one of the most dedicated faculty that I have come across in my whole academic experience. She takes great care to ensure that her class content is relevant, timely and engaging. She is a literal well of information about LIS related information and passionately imparts this to students in a way that demonstrates her respect for the knowledge we all bring to the classroom. She also dedicates time to furthering the work of FIMS and LIS into the community through her regular participation in the FIMS lecture series at London Public Libraries. Finally, she demonstrates a true passion for libraries, youths and reading, which I have found inspiring and commendable.

Shelley Long -- I am nominating Shelley Long for the Spirit of Librarianship award because of her role in on-boarding students to Western. She is an integral part of the FIMS Graduate office. For many students, Shelley is one of the official interactions we have with the program. She provides clear direction and has the keen ability to manage the flurry of questions from (sometimes anxious) new graduate students. We as FIMS students are grateful for the support we receive from Shelley's ability to orient us to resources that set us up for success at Western.

Dr. Victoria Rubin -- Professor Rubin communicated the most clearly of any of my profs around the potential strike, she's administratively the most organized and clear, and always brings thorough handouts to class with copies for everyone (extra mile). She also shows compassion for our well being and sees us as individuals with student as merely one aspect of our whole identity (shared a quote about holding a cup in the rain that's stuck with me).

Dr. Grant Campbell -- I nominate Professor Campbell for the Fantastic FIMS award. He is an exemplary information professional and educator. Every lecture is rife with both practical skills and theoretical discourse. One week he brought a collection of documents belonging to his grandparents to our lecture and had us examine, consider, and discuss the practical decisions that go into archival work. This creative, tactile experience demonstrates both his vested interest in the discipline and his personal investment in his students' success. His excitement and interest in the field is palpable and contagious. He has inspired me personally to continue studying cataloguing, a field I had no interest in mere months ago.

Dr. Heather Hill -- Dr. Hill is an engaging professor who has had a profound impact on many of her students, specifically in courses 9003: Information Sources & Services; and 9600: Public Libraries. Specifically, Dr. Hill fosters important class discussions, and elevates students' strengths and abilities.
Dr. Hill's commitment to inclusivity and vulnerable populations, including her research in the area of accessibility, shows in her teaching pedagogy and care that she shows for the students in her classes.
In summary, Dr. Hill has meant a lot to the growth and development of many LIS students at FIMS. She encourages us to talk about difficult, but always important topics. For these reasons and more, she should be considered for this term's fantastic FIMS award.

Dr. Liwen Vaughan -- Liwen Vaughan is very knowledgeable in her field of teaching and always works very hard to ensure her students grasp new and difficult concepts.