A UGA Libraries faculty member has received a distinguished service award from the Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association for her work to connect researchers and students to Georgia political history.
Jill Severn, access and outreach archivist for the Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, has been awarded the Marta Lange/SAGE-CQ Press Award, which is presented annually to an academic or law librarian whose research or activities have contributed to information service in law or political science.
“I have witnessed ongoing, significant examples of Jill promoting innovation in teaching and learning related to political science and international affairs here at the University of Georgia and advancing civic engagement with our local community and, indeed, communities across the state of Georgia,” John Maltese, associate dean of UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs, said in a nominating letter.
Because the Russell Library’s mission involves preserving and providing access to materials related to Georgia’s government and political history, Severn has worked to connect researchers and students with collections of archival material related to public service matters, policymaking, and legislative procedure and issues, from the federal school lunch program to nuclear proliferation.
In addition to her regular teaching, research, and outreach duties, Severn spearheaded the creation of the Special Collections Libraries Fellows program, where faculty members engage with archivists to plan classes that make use of the primary source material held by the three units within the Special Collections Libraries. Since 2015, faculty members from throughout UGA’s schools and colleges have created more than 55 courses through the fellowship, and a new cohort is scheduled to begin the program this May.
“I am tremendously proud of Jill’s selection by ACRL for this national award and the appreciation for her excellent leadership of the Faculty Fellows’ program shown by Dr. Maltese and SPIA faculty in making this nomination. Jill is truly deserving of this outstanding recognition,” said Sheryl Vogt, director of the Russell Library.