Jeff Slagell, Dean of Library Services at Delta State University, has been recognized with the 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Mississippi Library Association.<\/p>\n
The award is given by the MLA to a librarian who has contributed to the permanent improvement of library service; made significant contributions to professional literature; and provided outstanding service to his\/her community or institution.<\/p>\n
Melissa Dennis, Outreach & Instruction librarian at the University of Mississippi, nominated Slagell.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always satisfying to be recognized by your colleagues,\u201d said Slagell. \u201cI\u2019ve had the opportunity to work with many talented librarians across the state and have benefited from those relationships, both personally and professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur profession is unique in that on an almost daily basis, you can see the impact that our resources and services have on people in a tangible way,\u201d he added. \u201cYou know you\u2019re making a difference. That\u2019s gratifying for all of us here at Delta State.\u201d<\/p>\n
Slagell has dedicated the last 18 years of his career serving the students, faculty, staff and community at the Roberts-LaForge library. As dean, he manages the library, Charles W. Capps Jr. Archives and Museum, and the Instructional Resources Center.<\/p>\n
His areas of expertise include academic library administration, budgets, accreditation, assessment, and conference coordination.<\/p>\n
Slagell has been a speaker and supporter for MLA initiatives for over a decade. He has served the roles of president, vice president, past president, ALA councilor and ACRL chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cJeff is amazing at supporting others but doesn’t do the best job promoting himself,\u201d said Dennis. \u201cI felt like it was about time someone bragged on the way he has lifted up so many of us. He has impacted the community in so many ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJeff\u2019s selfless compassion for others has not only allowed him to be a great librarian, but has also contributed to his influence on our state by serving as a leader, mentor, advisor, activist, listener, teacher and friend,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Dr. Charles McAdams, Delta State provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Slagell is extremely worthy of the recognition.<\/p>\n
\u201cDean Slagell is very deserving of this award from the Mississippi Library Association,\u201d said McAdams. \u201cHe operates a student-focused, service-orientated, library with extremely limited resources. Regardless, he continues to \u2018make things happen\u2019 in the library, and we all owe Dean Slagell a debt of gratitude for what he does for students, faculty, staff and the community. I am pleased for him that his statewide professional organization has chosen to reward him in this manner.\u201d<\/p>\n