On, Tuesday, October 17th, at the 2023 Fall Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MAC-MLA) Business Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the MAC-MLA award winners were announced, and it was revealed that Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library’s Jim Watson is the successful recipient of the 2023 MAC-MLA Award for Excellence by a Health Sciences Library Staff.
This award honors an outstanding library staff member in a health sciences library and recognizes the critical role and important contributions library staff make to the development and evolution of health sciences libraries and librarianship. The winning criteria for this award included: provides excellent library service; continually suggests improvements or innovative ideas and is willing to take the lead in making good suggestions a reality; encourages and promotes the library’s mission, facilities, and resources; enhances the promotion and marketing endeavors of the library through facilitating productive and effective communication between users and the library; is professionally curious and is willing to take risks even if that means moving beyond their comfort zone; and is a lifelong learner.
The Welch Medical Library’s Content and Development team nominated their colleague Jim and are absolutely ecstatic and very proud that Jim won this much-deserved award. Over the 35+ years that Jim has worked in libraries, he has exemplified the very exceptional qualities in library staff that make libraries unique and valued worldwide. Jim is a wonderful team player who knows how to take calculated risks for the good of his patrons and fellow peers. He constantly demonstrates compassion and kindness in all of his interactions, and he shows tremendous dedication and passion for his work at the library.
The Welch Medical Library is honored to have Jim on our library team. Congratulations, Jim Watson, on this HUGE win for you and for the libraries at Johns Hopkins!