Phyllis Dain Library History Dissertation Award recipient named

Contact: Mary Jo Lynch


312-280-4273


mlynch@ala.org

ALA News Release


For Immediate Release


June 2001

Phyllis Dain Library History Dissertation Award recipient named

Mildred L. Jackson, associate librarian at the Grand Valley State University Zumberge Library, Allendale, Mich., is the recipient of the 2001 Phyllis Dain Library History Dissertation Award presented by the American Library Association (ALA) Library History Round Table.

The award, named in honor of Phyllis Dain, a library historian widely known as a supportive advisor and mentor, as well as a rigorous scholar and thinker, recognizes outstanding dissertations in the general area of library history. A certificate and $500 are given to the author of a work that embodies original research on a significant topic relating to the history of books, libraries, librarianship or information science.

Jackson received the award for her work entitled, "Do What You Can: Creating an Institution, Ladies' Library Associations in Michigan, 1850-1900." The dissertation sets the Ladies' Library Associations within multiple contexts, including the histories of library development, the women's club movement and the nascent state of Michigan.

"The jury found Jackson's study of the Ladies' Library Associations extremely thorough and well-documented, based on extensive research in primary source," Award Chair Robert Martin said. "The dissertation makes a distinct contribution to understanding how ladies' club culture fostered literacy, library development and print culture."

Jackson has a bachelor's of science from Central Michigan University, a master of arts and a Ph.D. in English from Michigan State University, and a master's in information and library science from the School of Information at the University of Michigan.