UK Director, Professor Receives McClure Excellence in Education Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2016) — Jeff Huber, University of Kentucky School of Information Science director and professor, was selected by the Medical Library Association (MLA) to receive the 2016 Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award for his contributions to the field of health sciences librarianship.

The award was established in 1998 and honors professionals “who demonstrate skills in one or more of the following areas: teaching, curriculum development, mentoring, research or leadership in education at local, regional or national levels.”

“We are honored to be awarding the Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award to Dr. Jeffrey Huber, director and professor at the University of Kentucky School of Information Science. The award is given to outstanding library educators in the field of health sciences librarianship and informatics,” said MLA President Michelle Kraft.

“The many letters of support from former students exemplify Dr. Huber’s dedication and focus to developing the next generation of health sciences librarians. His commitment to the profession is reflected through his service to MLA as an editor for JMLA, member of MLA juries including the Janet Doe and Lindberg Research Fellowship Jury, and his many publications. It is a privilege to honor Dr. Huber’s devotion to his students as well as to the profession with this award.”

Huber joined the School of Information Science in 2008 as an already established leader in the health information profession. By 2013, the school held a top 5 ranking in health librarianship according to U.S. News & World Report. Huber has done extensive research about information access for public health professionals and health care consumers, community health informatics, health literacy, and HIV/AIDS information and communication.

Dan O’Hair, dean of the College of Communication and Information, said, “It is a distinct honor for Dr. Huber to be named as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education award by the MLA. The college is very proud of Dr. Huber’s many accomplishments and knows that this award is well deserved.”

This year marks Huber’s 15th year serving as a member on the editorial board for the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA), a peer-reviewed quarterly journal authored by field professionals to advance the practice and research of health sciences librarianship. His most recent contribution to the journal, “Enhancing the care navigation model: potential roles for health sciences librarians” (2014), outlines the adaptation and evolution of the health sciences librarian role and responsibilities as health disparities in the United States increase. Huber co-authored the article with mentee, MLA colleague and award nominator, Robert Shapiro.

“Dr. Huber continues to inspire countless students, at UK and across the country, to use the knowledge developed in library and information science programs to impact the health of individuals and communities. I can think of no greater achievement in our field,” Shapiro said.

Huber will be recognized at the MLA Presidents’ Awards Dinner scheduled for May 17, at Mosaic ‘16 in Toronto, Canada.

“Today, the effective delivery of health care requires an informed citizenry at multiple levels and I have strived to contribute to that effort,” Huber said. “I am honored to be named the 2016 recipient of MLA’s Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award.”

Huber received his Master of Science in Library Science from the UK School of Library and Information Science in 1987 and his doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. He joined MLA in 1990 and became an active committee member in 2001.

The MLA believes that quality information is essential for improved health. MLA aspires to be the association of the most visible, valued and trusted health information experts. To that end, MLA fosters excellence in the professional practice and leadership of health sciences library and information professionals in order to enhance the quality of health care, education and research throughout the world.

The School of Library and Information Science in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky became the School of Information Science on July 1, 2015. The name change follows the expansion of programs at the school (both at the graduate and undergraduate level) and the increasing diversity of professions in the information field. The Instructional Communication and Research program became a part of the school in 2013, and the Information Communication Technology program debuted in 2014. The school offers a Master's of Science in Library Science, School Media Certification, Master's of Science in Information Communication Technology, bachelor's degrees in information communication technology and an undergraduate minor in information studies.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, 859-257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu