Volunteer of the Year Award

Yearly we recognize at the annual conference an ACL volunteer that has exhibited exceptional dedication and has performed a volunteer service worthy of mention. Our volunteer leaders nominate members for this award and the recipient is selected by the ACL Board of Directors.

2024 – Ruth McGuire

Ruth has been an ACL member for 25 years and has exemplified dedication and excellence in her roles within ACL, particularly as the Presentations Coordinator (2021-2024) and Conference Host Librarian (2024).

In 2021, Ruth graciously stepped into the role of Presentations Coordinator when there was a vacancy. Despite the sudden change, Ruth quickly acclimated to her responsibilities and displayed remarkable professionalism and kindness in her interactions with potential conference presenters. Our conference landscape has changed drastically since COVID and Ruth has graciously faced these challenges with me taking on the responsibility of working with virtual presentations/presenters and all of those details in addition to our traditional in-person presentations/presenters.

Recognizing the importance of accessibility, Ruth implemented closed captions expectations for virtual workshops in 2022. She established a comprehensive LibGuide in 2023 to streamline communication and provide resources for conference presenters. This LibGuide history also ensures a smooth transition for future Presentation Coordinators. 

Furthermore, Ruth has demonstrated exceptional leadership as part of the Conference Coordinator Team not only as the Presentations Coordinator but also by stepping up as the Host Librarian for the 2024 Annual Conference. She has tirelessly worked with her staff, the event coordinator on her campus, and the ACL Conference Manager, planning so many details to ensure a welcoming and professional conference experience for attendees. 

Thank you Ruth for your hard work and unwavering dedication to ACL and our conference.