Elizabeth Gibson and Sara Holder winners of the 2014 McGill Library Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2014 McGill Library Excellence Awards. The awards recognize outstanding contributions and exceptional leadership to McGill’s continued success and in advancing the mission of the Library.

Elizabeth Gibson, Library Supervisor at the Humanities & Social Sciences Library, was recognized for the Library Staff Excellence Award and Sara Holder, Head of the Schulich Library of Science and Engineering, received the Librarian Excellence Award.  The awards were presented at two ceremonies this spring.

Dean of Libraries Colleen Cook presents Elizabeth Gibson (left) with the 2014 Staff Excellence Award / Photo credit: Merika Ramundo

Elizabeth Gibson, Library Supervisor, Humanities & Social Sciences Library | McGill Library Staff Excellence Award

Library Supervisor is not an easy job, but when delicate service issues arise, the buck stops with Elizabeth Gibson.

She is willing to tack any challenge that may arise. Her colleagues have witnessed Elizabeth’s tact and poise under every circumstance. She has calmed frustrated users all the while finding an appropriate solution for everyone involved. Aside from exchanges at the service desk and the questions she fields directly via email, Elizabeth has also provided tremendous support to Humanities and Social Sciences Library (HSSL) librarians when various borrowing and user account questions arise via Question Point.

For three months this year, due to numerous circumstances, Elizabeth acted as sole supervisor in HSSL. This was not an easy job but Elizabeth rose to the occasion staying on top of borrowing issues and delivering outstanding service to faculty, students and staff alike. The colleagues who nominated her stressed that her attitude was contagious and kept the atmosphere at HSSL positive in the face of change.

The Library commends Elizabeth for bringing cheer and integrity to the workplace every single day. Thank you and congratulations!

Dean of Libraries Colleen Cook and 2014 winner of the Librarian Excellence Award Sara Holder (right) / Photo credit: Merika Ramundo

Sara Holder, Head, Schulich Library of Science & Engineering | McGill Library Librarian Excellence Award

Sara’s dedication to McGill and supporting learning, teaching and research is second to none.

Sara Holder left Princeton University’s Cultural Policy & the Arts National Data Archive to join the McGill University Library in 2005 as the Data Specialist. In 2006, Sara became the Education Liaison Librarian and rapidly rose to Head Librarian in 2010.

In only three years, Sara served as Head of three major library branches consecutively – the Education, Humanities & Social Sciences and finally the Schulich Library. At that library, she successfully managed the integration of Life Sciences collection into Schulich. She also effectively contributed to the consultations leading to the merger of the Education Library collection into the Humanities & Social Sciences Library. Her work is characterized by handling multiple priorities with tact and diligence.

To quote a professor who has worked with Sara, “She is never too busy to welcome students or faculty members into her office or in the public spaces. She does it with wonderful grace and intelligence.”

Sara’s contribution to Librarianship is noteworthy through her professional collaborations and contributions including international involvement with the Association of College & Research Libraries, American Library Association, and locally as Member, Board of Directors of l’Association des bibliothécaires du Québec – Quebec Library Association.  Congratulations Sara!