Antioch Librarian Honored by New York Times

A full page ad in the New York Times congratulates Antioch University New England's librarian Jean Amaral and nine others today (December 8) as recipients of the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian award.

Judges chose Jean, a reference librarian here at Antioch University New England, and her fellow award winners from 3,200 nominations from across the nation. Only two university librarians were chosen for the award, Jean and Iona R. Malanchuk from the University of Florida.

"Jean's efforts on behalf of the students and faculty here at Antioch New England are exceptional. Her enjoyable and energy-packed lectures, training sessions and consultations on the latest research techniques have been invaluable in their support of teaching and learning, " said ANE President David Caruso. "We are thrilled that she has received this honor."

In his nomination letter, Environmental Advocacy and Organizing Program director Steve Chase said Jean "is a dynamo of energy, talent, humor, consideration, and has the most intense dedication to aiding students and faculty that I have ever seen."

Each of the ten award winners receives a $5,000 cash award. Jean is donating her cash prize to ANE student scholarships.

Jean travels to New York City tonight to participate in a ceremony and reception at The Times Center, hosted by The New York Times on December 9. (Read more here to learn about the award and download a pdf of Jean's nomination letter.)

The I Love My Librarian prize recognizes the recipients for exemplary service to their communities, schools, and campuses.

Jean summed up her work philosophy recently by saying "I love working at Antioch, and I love being part of the library profession, because they're about the same thing: winning victories for humanity, making our world a better place, a just place."

Jean joined Antioch University New England as a reference librarian in August of 2006. She received her master's degree in library and information science from San Jose State University, her master's in English and American literature from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, and her bachelor's degree in economics and English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Prior to working at ANE, she lived in the San Francisco Bay area working as a public librarian for the Santa Clara County Library system. Currently, she lives in Marlborough, New Hampshire.

Congratulations Jean!