Linda Zellmer, Government Information and Data Services Librarian at Western Illinois University (WIU), was honored by the Geoscience Information Society (GSIS) with the 2017 Mary B. Ansari Distinguished Service Award.  The award was presented at the society’s fall meeting, held in conjunction with the Seattle meeting of the Geological Society of America.  It recognizes significant contributions to the field of geoscience information. 

 

Zellmer has been at WIU since 2008 and serves as library liaison to several science departments on campus. From 2002 to 2008 she was Head of the Geology Library at Indiana University, Bloomington and has held previous positions at Arizona State University, the University of Wyoming and Oklahoma State University.  Her research interests include access to geographic and geological information, maps, and geographic information systems in libraries.

 

“Linda’s contributions to the fields of geoscience and geospatial information are numerous and noteworthy,” commented Clara McLeod, chair of the selection committee.  In support of Zellmer’s nomination, colleagues noted her commitment and dedication to providing “exhaustive and thorough” knowledge.

 

Zellmer’s publications include an extensive geosciences webliography of electronic resources, “The Geosciences: Selected Web Resources” published in Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship; and “State and Regional Geology: A Guide to Resources,” published in ACRL’s Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries.  In 2006, she co-edited with Andrea Twiss-Brooks the “Geology” section in the ALA publication RCL: Resources for College Libraries.  Her most recent paper, “Protected Places: A Survey of Laws on Archaeological Site and Cave Location Confidentiality and Their Potential Impact on Library Reference Policies and Services” was published in Journal of Maps & Geography Libraries in August, 2017. 

 

Zellmer served as GSIS President in 2003.  She has chaired the society’s Geonet-L Advisory Board, Electronic Resources Committee, and Exhibits Committee.  From 2002 to 2014 she represented GSIS on the Cartographic Users Advisory Council (CUAC) and participated in the Homeland Security Working Group of the Federal Geographic Data Committee.  She has taught maps, government documents, and geographic information systems at  “Geoscience Librarianship 101” – an annual short course for librarians new to the field – every year since the workshop’s inception in 2007.

 

In addition to GSIS, Zellmer’s professional memberships include the American Library Association, the Association of College & Research Libraries, Special Libraries Association, and Western Association of Map Libraries.    

 

The Ansari Distinguished Service Award was established in 2005 through the generous support of Mary B. Ansari, Director Emerita for Branch Libraries and Administrative Services at the University of Nevada-Reno and past president of GSIS.

 

The Geoscience Information Society is an international professional organization devoted to improving the exchange of information in the earth sciences.  The membership consists of librarians, editors, cartographers, educators, and information professionals. Information about the Society may be found at its website www.geoinfo.org.