Hesburgh Libraries

Laura Anderson Bayard, head of Documents Access and Database Management in the University Libraries, was named the 2002 recipient of the Rev. Paul J. Foik, C.S.C., Award at the President's Dinner on May 21. The award is given annually in recognition of significant contributions by a library faculty member to library service, to the Notre Dame community or to the library profession through personal scholarship or involvement in professional associations.

The citation reads:

This year's recipient of the Rev. Paul J. Foik, C.S.C., Award has been an effective spokesperson for promoting diversity, moving both the Libraries and the University forward in this area. Her creativity and energy has laid the groundwork for a model program which promises to enhance diversity within the Library field, and her innovative work with minority high school students has been recognized as a productive way to attract new talent to librarianship. She is known for her participation on the Library's Diversity Committee and the University's Academic Affirmative Action Committee, and as a member of the Faculty Senate, where she has enlightened faculty about the work, responsibilities, and capabilities of library faculty. She is held in high regard for the quality of her services and for her dedication to the needs of faculty, staff, and students. We honor tonight Laura Anderson Bayard.

The Libraries' Summer Program initiative, designed by the Diversity Committee chaired by Bayard, was supported in part by the 2002 Cultural Diversity Grant awarded by LAMA (the Library Administration and Management Association). The certificate for the grant reads:

The Library Administration and Management Association awards the 2002 Cultural Diversity Grant to Laura Bayard, Chair of the Diversity Committee, University Libraries and the Kresge Law Library, University of Notre Dame, to help fund a project whereby in the summer of 2002 the libraries will employ four culturally and ethnically diverse area high school students. This work experience will introduce these students to librarianship as a profession by giving them positive experiences in a work environment.