Contact: Mary M. Rosenbloom, University Libraries, (785) 864-8921.
LAWRENCE - Keith Russell, dean of the University of Kansas Libraries, announced today that Brian J. Baird, preservation librarian, is the 2000 recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Librarianship.
In making the announcement, Russell said, "This prestigious award confirms what so many of us long have known about Brian's exemplary skills, abilities and knowledge. He is without doubt a librarian of the first rank. All who are associated with the University of Kansas and its libraries are fortunate indeed that Brian is among us."
Baird, who came to KU in 1994 as the libraries' first preservation librarian, has built a department that now includes a professional conservator, several classified employees and numerous student assistants.
He recently received the Piercy Award from the American Library Association for his local, national and international leadership in preservation.
Baird has contributed innovative ideas to library literature on a wide range of topics including conservation, binding, environmental controls and collection surveys. In addition, Baird created "Brittle," a cooperative program that enables subscribing libraries to purchase preservation photocopy replacements of brittle books in a cost-effective manner.
The Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Librarianship carries a cash honorarium and recipients are recognized on a permanent plaque in the Watson Library lobby. The award was established in 1989 by former KU Chancellor Gene Budig to recognize the outstanding contributions made by KU librarians to the university and to librarianship.
Previous winners are Alexandra Mason, Mary Roach, Susan Craig, Frederick Snyder, Sheryl Williams, Robert W. Melton and Bradley L. Schaffner.
The university will recognize Baird during the faculty and staff convocation at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6th, in 110 Budig Hall.