91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — Dr. Shali Zhang is this year’s recipient of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) International Relations Committee’s John Ames/Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award.

OCLC/Forest Press donated the cash award of $1,000, which is given to an individual for significant contribution to international librarianship.

Zhang received this award for her exceptional contributions to international librarianship during her professional career at local, national and international levels. She has played a leadership role on 91´«Ã½’s (IRRT). She has served as chair, editor of the newsletter, head of the membership committee and is currently a member of the IRRT Endowment committee. During these years of service she has supported the growth and development of IRRT, a now thriving 91´«Ã½ Round Table. She has also chaired the International Relations Committee (IRC), a committee that is critical to the development of 91´«Ã½’s international policies.

In her professional work, both at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and currently at the University of Montana, Zhang has been instrumental in internationalizing the mission of both the libraries and the universities. In the words of Perry J. Brown, current provost and vice-president for academic affairs at the University of Montana: “In the mere fourteen months that she has been at UM, Dr. Zhang has had a significant effect in transforming the Mansfield’s library operations, including its international engagement, and consequently, that of our university”.

In the international library community she is a well-respected for her work both at (IFLA) and with the international mission of the (C91´«Ã½). She has been invited to lecture or consult in numerous countries to share best library practices and to network with librarians from other countries.

Zhang is a library leader who thinks globally and acts to make a difference, both locally and internationally. In the words of H. Lea Wells and Jordan M. Scepanski: “We served on 91´«Ã½’s International Relations Roundtable committees together and found Shali to be a tirelessly promoter of greater understanding between American librarians and librarians from around the world.”

Dr. Zhang will be recognized during the International Reception on Monday, June 30 at the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Las Vegas.