Molly Beestrum, Education and Curriculum Coordinator at Galter Library, has been named Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year by the Illinois Library Association. The award, presented by the ILA Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL) Forum, recognizes an Illinois librarian who is making an outstanding statewide contribution to academic or research librarianship and to library development. The award is sponsored by Library Juice Academy and comes on the heels of her recent successful tenure as President of the Illinois Library Association.

Throughout her career, Molly has worked extensively with academic stakeholders and constituents to provide consistent, user-focused services. In her role as education and curriculum coordinator at Galter Library, Molly is the point person for all curricular and student-centered library support. She conducts orientation and resource sessions for all new student groups; meets with students for consults on Area of Scholarly Concentration research, capstone and thesis support, and systematic review collaborations; and works with program faculty to strategize the best and most effective ways to promote information literacy in the student body. Molly’s work doesn’t stop with the students. She is Galter’s library liaison for a number of departments, working with faculty, residents, and postdocs on literature searches, systematic reviews, and resource support. She also serves on several committees at Feinberg and within Galter Library.

At the state level, Molly is currently Past President of the Illinois Library Association, having just completed a successful and challenging year as president. In this role, she has guided the organization through the implementation of a new strategic plan, while helping it adapt to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing call for racial and social justice in the country and the library profession.

We’re thrilled that Molly has received this extremely well-deserved honor!