JoAnn Calzonetti, outgoing director of West Virginia Universitys Evansdale Library, has received the University Librariesfirst Distinguished Service Award.

The award, created by the Libraries Faculty Assembly, recognizes service in facilitating the mission and goals of the WVU Libraries, a body of work that serves as a model for others and involvement in organizations that promote libraries locally, regionally and nationally.

Calzonetti has been director of the Evansdale Library since 1994 and managed an extensive renovation and update of the facility in 1999. Before that, she was coordinator of Government Documents, strengthening and preserving the Librariesstatus as a Federal Regional Depository.

Calzonetti has served as co-chair of the implementation committee for the Librariesonline catalog system and chair of the Serials Review Committee. She has also been a member of the WVU Faculty Senate, West Virginia Library Association and American Library Association.

In November 2000, she received the Dora Ruth Parks Award, the highest honor from the West Virginia Library Association. She will be leaving WVU in July to become head of the Science and Technology Library at the University of Akron.

Calzonettis colleagues said it is appropriate that she receive the WVU Librariesfirst service award.

“JoAnn has succeeded in a wide variety of responsibilities and has displayed leadership within the Evansdale Library, the University Libraries, on campus and beyond,”said Frances OBrien, WVU Libraries dean.”She is a very effective administrator who can respond to technological change, plan for the future and serve as a mentor for other librarians.”

“It isnt often that we recognize someone for service excellence and even more rare that we have the opportunity to salute the person in public,”added Mary Strife, assistant director of the Evansdale Library.”This award gives us that opportunity. JoAnn Calzonetti represents the best librarianship has to offer and is an unfailing supporter of West Virginia libraries.”