Cowles Library Drake University

The Cowles Library Faculty and Staff are the recipients of the True Blue Award. They were nominated by Janet McMahill, Dean – School of Education. “Called to be True Blue” nominations recognize the outstanding practices of these core values from the Drake University Strategic Plan: Excellence, Learning, Integrity, Citizenship, and Fiscal Responsibility.

The nominator wrote:

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the School of Education, I would like to nominate the Dean, Faculty and Staff of Cowles Library to receive the True Blue Award. During the last 15 years, I have had occasion to work directly with these individuals as they strive to provide innovate service to faculty and students, on and off-campus. Here are specific elements of their work that I believe contribute to their level of excellence:

1. They respond to inquires of all types and, with courtesy and expedience, they find materials and answers.
2. Adult students experience a wide variety of different issues related to the use of materials. Cowles Library Supports our programs by providing after hours services, mail services and internet responses that enable us to offer high-quality graduate degrees off-campus.
3. There is a successful model of direct service to each college with a librarian who is knowledgeable of our discipline. These individuals do not wait for us to make an inquiry, they find new resources and constantly report them to us.
4. Cowles Library is a world-class repository of print and digital resources. We are able to be competitive in many programs and grant applications BECAUSE we are able to document the kind of library that we have. Students from Iowa State and U of Iowa who take our graduate programs are astounded at the quality and quantity of our offerings.

In my earlier career days, I was not particular aware of the role of a university library. As the Chief academic officer of the School of Education at Drake, I can report that the Cowles Library faculty and staff are vital to the life of this University. The are creative, pleasant, innovative individuals who contribute daily to the “Drake Difference.” It is my pleasure to submit this application for the award to a team that is TRULY BLUE.

Signed by President Maxwell 2-27-07
Signed by Venessa Macro 2-28-07

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