2009 – Library Research Award

College Library, in conjunction with the Undergraduate Symposium, recently awarded two research prizes to Jenna Acker and Rachel Reinderst. The second annual Undergraduate Research Awards celebrate excellence and creativity in undergraduate library research. Examples of library research include the literature review for a laboratory study, the use of primary sources in a historical research paper, or the background research for a creative arts project. Applicants are asked to submit a version of their research project, an essay describing their research strategies, and a statement of faculty support.

Both young women received certificates and cash prizes at the Undergraduate Symposium’s award ceremony on Thursday, April 16. Jenna Acker received the Library Research Award for her project: “Associations between Risky Health Behaviors on Dating Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction.” Her faculty mentor is Lauren Papp of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Rachel Reinder’s poster, “Identification with the Media and Body Esteem” was created under the mentorship of Janet Hyde (Psychology, Women’s Studies).

Campus librarians on the award committee used the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Information Literacy Standards as the main criteria for assessing the applications for the awards.

Kelli Keclik, public services librarian at College Library, took the lead in creating the awards, setting the selection criteria, managing the application process and providing information sessions about the awards. Janice Rice, College Library outreach librarian and a member of the Undergraduate Symposium planning committee, helped integrate the awards into the Symposium structure, and Carrie Kruse, director of College Library, participated in the establishment of the awards. The awards selection committee also included Karen Dunn, Troy Reeves, Lisa Wettleson and Emily Wixson. The cash prizes were provided through General Library System gift funds. The Undergraduate Research Awards will continue to be offered in conjunction with the Undergraduate Symposium in upcoming years.

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