LAUC-LA 1998 Librarian of the Year Award

Gordon Theil

LAUC-LA Spring Membership Meeting

April 28, 1998

It is with great pleasure that LAUC-LA presents to Gordon Theil the 1998 Librarian of the Year Award. With this award we recognize Gordon's ongoing contributions and leadership within the UCLA Library and community in the area of automation, as well as his qualities of intellectual creativity, leadership, and moral courage.

First, his involvement in the creation of the UCLA Library Website, his role as its current Webmaster, and his role in the creation of the Music Library's Mac Lab demonstrate his commitment to making information as widely available as possible, his technical skills in an ever-changing arena, and his common sense approach to making difficult decisions. Second, his leadership is characterized by a combination of "humanistic-oriented philosophy" and practical, hands-on experience. Finally, in terms of moral courage, he has articulated a stand on a controversial issue in an open forum and has acted on the convictions he expressed.

Serving as Chair of Webcomm since its inception, Gordon has been instrumental in the creation and continuing development of the Library's Website, the "public face" of the UCLA Library to the campus and the world beyond. His technical curiosity and willingness to accept extra duties exemplify his deep sense of commitment to public service, always with the best interests of users in mind. His enthusiasm for technology and its role in the Library made him a natural for appointment as Library Webmaster.

He has demonstrated his leadership in a number of venues. One colleague stated that "As an administrator he exemplifies the best aspects of humanistic-oriented philosophy with practical hands-on experience." Whatever working group or committee he is on, Gordon contributes good ideas and is willing to take on whatever is required to accomplish the task for the betterment of the whole group. It has been noted that he is an influential member of any committee he serves on. "Most importantly, however, Gordon cares about his unit, the Music Library, and about the library system, striving to improve its quality, development, maintenance, and function."

Finally, in terms of moral courage, Gordon chose not to accept an administrative stipend for his duties as Head of the Music Library. As a fair-minded individual, he acted on his own beliefs in refusing the additional money. This action, while consistent with LAUC-LA's position on administrative stipends, symbolizes a strength of character that is typical of Gordon's integrity and selflessness.

For these qualities of intellectual creativity, leadership, and moral courage and his unflagging commitment to service, Gordon Theil deserves to be recognized as the 1998 LAUC-LA Librarian of the Year.

Committee on LAUC-LA Librarian of the Year Award, 1997/98 Norma Corral - URL Reference (Chair) Leon Ferder - Bibliographers Group Tina-Karen Forman - URL Cataloging Department Lise Snyder - College Library Professor Leah Lievrouw - UCLA GSE&IS Department of Library and Information Studies