Bothmann embodies the qualities of leadership and participation that the award was intended to recognize, encourage, and reward. During Bothmann’s five-year career as a librarian he has shown leadership in professional associations at the local, state, and national level. As webmaster, treasurer, and membership coordinator for OLAC (On-Line Audiovisual Catalogers, Inc.), Bothmann has worked to impart a clearer understanding of media cataloging and its management to an international library audience.
He has contributed to the development, application and utilization of new or improved cataloging methods, techniques, and routines through his involvement with the Minnesota Opportunities for Technical Services Excellence program. He has been instrumental in devising its training procedures and has conducted many workshops for this regional program.
Bothmann has made significant contributions to professional literature. He has published articles in numerous professional publications, including Library Resources & Technical Services and Cataloging and Classification Quarterly. (He also serves as a column editor for the latter.) He has contributed a chapter for the book, Handbook of Research on Library Electronic Research Management. Currently he is working with others to produce a revised edition of Nancy Olson’s book, Cataloging of Audiovisual Materials and Other Special Materials.
He has conducted studies and prepared research projects in the area of library technical services. The results of these studies and research projects have been published or shared with a wide audience through the numerous presentations he has given on the local, regional, and national level.
In the few years Robert Bothmann has been a professional his achievements have been significant in all venues of librarianship (service, teaching, research/publishing). Considering all his plans for further projects, it is clear he will continue to make meaningful contributions for years to come.
The Esther J. Piercy Award was established by ALCTS in 1968 in memory of Esther J. Piercy, the editor of Journal of Cataloging and Classification from 1950 to 1956 and of Library Resources & Technical Services from 1957 to 1967. It is given to recognize the contributions to those areas of librarianship included in library collections and technical services by a librarian with no more than 10 years of professional experience who has shown outstanding promise for continuing contribution and leadership. The recipient receives a $1,500 grant donated by YBP, Inc. and a citation in recognition of his/her accomplishments.
The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) is the national association for information providers who work in collections and technical services. Areas of concentration of ALCTS members include acquisition, cataloging, collection development, preservation, and archiving of all library materials in all formats as well as serial collection management.
ALCTS is a division of the American Library Association.
| Robert Bothman wins Esther J. Piercy Award |