Patricia Iannuzzi, UNLV's dean of libraries, was named the 2013 Association of College and Research Libraries' (ACRL) Academic/Research Librarian of the year.

The annual award recognizes librarians who have made significant national or international contributions to the field in research and academic development. Iannuzzi has advocated for information literacy and student learning in higher education throughout her career, and her focus on these issues has served as inspiration to many in the academic and research library community.

"We are extremely proud that Patty has been recognized for her exceptional contribution to the academic mission of our university and the academy more generally," said John Valery White, UNLV executive vice president and provost. "She has repositioned the library as a central part of the academic mission of the campus and highlighted the growing importance of the library in the rapidly changing university landscape."

Iannuzzi chaired a recent ACRL task force that updated the organization's standards for libraries in higher education, and has been influential in establishing a framework for both library assessment and instruction efforts. This work positions libraries as part of the focus on learning outcomes that is occurring across higher education and has led UNLV to become a model for other academic and research libraries across the country.

"Iannuzzi's distinguished career as a librarian and educator has been marked by her dedication to information literacy and student learning, and by her passionate advocacy for academic libraries," said David D. Oberhelman, chair of the ACRL Academic /Research Librarian Award committee. "We are thrilled to honor her with this award for her remarkable ability to effect positive change."

Before joining UNLV as dean of libraries in 2005, Iannuzzi served as associate university librarian and director of the Doe/ Moffitt Libraries and interim director of collections at the University of California- Berkeley. She has also served in various roles at Florida International University, the University of Miami, Yale University and Tufts University.

Related Link: The ACRL Insider recognizes Patty Iannuzzi as its academic/research librarian of the year.