Trevor A. Dawes Named 2026 ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year 

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce that Trevor A. Dawes, Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums and May Morris University Librarian at the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press, is the 2026 ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year. The award recognizes an outstanding member of the library profession who has made a significant national or international contribution to academic or research librarianship and library development. 

“The committee named Trevor A. Dawes as the 2026 ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary, career-long service to ACRL and the profession, his influential scholarship, and his work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession,” said Melissa Autumn Wong, Vice-Chair of the ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award Committee. “As one nominator noted, Dawes has contributed to ACRL ‘at every conceivable level,’ including as a committee member and chair, eight-time national conference committee member, national conference chair, member of the Board of Directors, and President of ACRL. 

“Beyond ACRL, Dawes has served as an ALA Councilor and on the ALA Executive Board, in multiple leadership roles within the Association of Research Libraries, and in numerous other national, regional, and state-level professional organizations,” Wong added. “Throughout his career, Dawes has worked to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic libraries and the profession. Nominators cited his publications and presentations, his work as a trainer and consultant, and his formal and informal mentorship of colleagues as having had a profound and lasting impact on equity work in libraries. As one nominator wrote, ‘Trevor’s outreach and engagement, scholarship, and direct and indirect mentorship on DEI topics leads the field.’”

“I am deeply humbled by this recognition and grateful to those who took the time to nominate me and support my candidacy,” shared Dawes. “Your confidence in my work means more than I can express. This honor belongs equally to my extraordinary colleagues at the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press, whose creativity, resilience, dedication, and commitment to our communities make meaningful work possible every day. While I have never pursued my work in the field for recognition, it is affirming to be seen and valued by peers and colleagues across our profession as a reminder of why the connections we build with one another matter so much.”

Dawes is a founding partner of the consulting firm Inclusive Knowledge Solutions and has worked in the academic library sector for more than 20 years, developing and delivering service-enhancing training and professional development initiatives that positively impact library-wide projects and programs. He facilitates workshops on leadership, organizational development, and diversity designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and competencies of library professionals. An author and presenter, Dawes has written or edited books, chapters, and articles, and has presented at local, national, and international conferences. His publications include work on leadership in academic libraries, diversity, and organizational development. 

Dawes’s extensive record of service to ACRL includes being a member and chair of numerous committees, including chair of the Leadership, Recruitment, and Nominating Committee (2023-2024), chair of the Professional Development Coordinating Committee (2006-2009), and member of the Diversity Committee (2019-2021). His service to the ACRL conference includes eight terms on various conference committees and acting as chair of the ACRL 2019 Conference. Dawes served as a director-at-large on the ACRL Board of Directors (2012-2015) and was elected to serve as ACRL vice-president/president-elect (2012-2013), president (2013-2014), and past-president (2014-2015). 

Dawes is also an active member of ALA and served as a member of ALA Council (2008-2011, 2015-2018) and the ALA Executive Board (2017-2020). He has served on a variety of ALA committees, including co-chairing the Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (2014-16) and chairing the ALA Council Committee on Diversity (2006-2007).

“I am delighted to recognize Trevor A. Dawes with ACRL’s top individual award,” said ACRL Executive Director Teresa Anderson. “His commitment to scholarship, service, and mentoring has been a major asset to the profession over the course of his career. I particularly value Trevor’s tireless work advancing ACRL, including serving on conference committees and our Board of Directors.”

In addition to his service to ALA, Dawes served as a Board member (2022-25) and president (2024) of the Association of Research Libraries. He was Board chair of the Greater Western Library Alliance (2021) and served on the Boards of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (2005-2007), National Information Standards Organization (2021-2027), NorthEast Research Libraries Consortium (2016-2024), and Center for Research Libraries (2025-2026).

Dawes earned his MLS from Rutgers University, as well as an MA in Educational Administration and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. He currently serves as Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums and May Morris University Librarian at the University of Delaware and is simultaneously a professor at the Kyoto Graduate College for Computing and Informatics.

The ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year award dates back to 1978. The ACRL Awards program was on hiatus from 2022-2025, and recently relaunched. Past ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year award recipients include Julia M. Gelfand (2021); John E. Ulmschneider (2020); Kaetrena Davis Kendrick (2019); David W. Lewis (2018); Loretta Parham (2017); Susan K. Nutter (2016); Robert A. Seal (2015); Tim Bucknall (2014); Patricia Iannuzzi (2013); Paula T. Kaufman (2012); Janice Welburn (2011); Maureen Sullivan (2010); Gloriana St. Clair (2009); Peter Hernon (2008); Lizabeth (Betsy) Wilson (2007); Ray English (2006); Ravindra Nath (R. N.) Sharma (2005); Tom Kirk (2004); Ross Atkinson, (2003); and Shelley Phipps (2002). 

The ACRL Awards program was on hiatus from 2022-2025, and recently relaunched. For more information regarding the award, or a complete list of past recipients, please visit the awards section of the ACRL website.

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About ACRL

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for academic libraries and library workers. Representing more than 8,000 individuals and libraries, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning, transforming scholarship, and creating diverse and inclusive communities. Find ACRL on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and YouTube.