Edward R. Johnson wins 2003 Edna Mae Phelps Award
First published in November 2003
OSU Dean of Libraries, Dr. Edward R. Johnson received the 10th annual Edna Mae Phelps Award. Johnson was honored at the recent H. Louise & H.E. “Ed” Cobb Speaker Series presented by the Friends of the OSU Library. Friends of the OSU Library Board of Directors member Ann Halligan presented the award.
Johnson was nominated by a record number of supporters. Ninety of his staff and faculty signed a letter of nomination. Halligan read from their nomination letter, "Over the last 16 years, Ed truly stands out as a dedicated library supporter and advocate. He has distinguished himself with his work for the Friends, the OSU Library and libraries of Oklahoma."
"Throughout his career Johnson worked tirelessly to improve salaries and wages for Library employees. He also informed both faculty and students on campus of the Library's financial needs and educated them about the unique inflation problems of research journals. This resulted in significant increases from University Administration and support from the students for the implementation of student library fees. His outreach to the campus community extends beyond funding issues. Johnson regularly meets with faculty and the students to discuss library issues. In 2001, he spearheaded an outreach campaign called the "Crisis in Scholarly Publishing and Its Impact on OSU." His efforts resulted in OSU's adoption of the Tempe Principles, which provide guidelines for re-shaping the emerging system of scholarly publishing."
"Most recently, Johnson worked to help state legislative leaders understand the implication of UCITA (the Uniform Computer Information Technology Act) to both libraries and citizens of Oklahoma. This project included the publication of his article "The Law Against Sharing Knowledge" in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
"Edward Johnson is a perfect example of what the Edna Mae Phelps Award represents, 'substantially and unselfishly going above and beyond duty to increase the effectiveness of the OSU Library.' With his retirement approaching in February, there is no better time than now and no better way than this to honor him for his sweet sixteen years at the OSU Library."
The Edna Mae Phelps Award was established in 1994 to honor founder and first President of the Friends of the OSU Library Edna Mae Phelps of Seminole. Nominations are collected throughout the year. For information on the award and how to nominate someone, visit http://www.library.okstate.edu/friends/phelps.htm or call (405) 744-7331.
Contact
For more information on giving to the Library contact the Library Dean's Office at lib-pub@okstate.edu or 405-744-6321.
