Chippewa Valley Times

McIntyre Library has been recognized as the 2024 Wisconsin Library Association Library of the Year. This award acknowledges distinguished achievement in service by a library, library system, or library network. The staff will receive the accolade on November 7 at the WLA’s annual conference in Green Bay.

Chancellor James Schmidt praised McIntyre Library for its dedication to supporting students and the Eau Claire community. "McIntyre Library is most deserving of the Library of the Year Award for its unceasing commitment to helping our students, and the campus and greater Eau Claire communities," he said. He highlighted how traditional resources are combined with advanced technological tools to create innovative experiences.

Markgraf expressed her delight with the award, emphasizing her colleagues' creativity and commitment to enhancing student experiences. “They continually amaze me with their ideas for moving forward, their ability to anticipate need and their resourcefulness that makes things happen,” she stated.

The library offers internships and research opportunities in digital studio technology, graphic design, and archival management. It also features an innovative makerspace and digital studio while hosting various activities throughout the academic year. These include therapy dog visits, student film festivals, art exhibits, yoga classes, and more.

The nomination for this award underscored McIntyre Library's alignment with the Wisconsin Idea that universities should leverage resources to benefit communities. Efforts include digitizing cultural history from Volume One magazine and providing numerous consultations with community members.

B.J. Hollars, a professor of English at UW-Eau Claire, uses McIntyre Library extensively for teaching information literacy and research skills. In his letter supporting the nomination, he noted that "the library’s knowledgeable and passionate staff provide carefully curated, experiential opportunities that allow students to thrive."

Hollars also shared his personal experience using McIntyre's services for book publications and documentary production. He commended the library's efficiency: “While some archives and libraries occasionally add bureaucracy to the already exhausting research process, this has never been the philosophy here.”