Emily Drabinski, a 2004 graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, was recently honored by the New York Library Association. The group selected her to receive this year’s Distinguished Achievement Award for her contributions to the profession and the association.
She is an associate professor at the Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies and was immediate past-president of the American Library Association.
“To be recognized by my home association meant a lot to me,” said Drabinski, who earned a master’s degree from the iSchool in 2004 and received an alumni achievement award. “We do so much of our work alone, so it’s extremely meaningful to be recognized by people I consider to be my colleagues and friends who are in this work with me.”
The award recognizes an individual who has made a significant commitment to the advancement of the profession, both by service to their institution and service to NYLA.
“Emily has spent the last two years speaking truth to power, representing libraries in the fight for intellectual freedom on the national stage and refusing to be anything less than her authentic self,” said NYLA Executive Director AnnaLee Dragon. “We couldn’t be more proud to celebrate her tireless efforts on behalf of libraries and librarians everywhere. She is a credit to our profession and to our state.”
NYLA previously honored Drabinski with a writing award. She publishes and presents widely on topics related to knowledge organization, information literacy, and critical perspectives in librarianship. She also edits “Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies,” a book series from Library Juice Press/Litwin Books, and is a contributing writer at Truthout.
Drabinski’s goal is to continue supporting librarians and the important work they do.
“I think library workers do extraordinary amounts of work without the resources that are necessary to do that work,” she said. “My focus is on raising public awareness about the challenges librarians face in their work.”