UBC Library is pleased to announce that Hyunjoo Eom, Felicia de la Parra and Barbara Towell are the 2017 recipients of UBC Library Recognition Awards. The annual Library Recognition Awards program was developed to acknowledge the many ways in which Library staff contribute to their workplace through creativity, innovation, excellence and customer service.
The awards were presented at the annual Library Recognition Luncheon at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on June 27, 2017. Congratulations Hyunjoo, Felicia and Barbara, and thank you to their nominators!
Hyunjoo Eom, Barbara Towell, interim University Librarian Melody Burton, and Felicia de la Parra.
Hyunjoo Eom
Hyunjoo Eom (Korean Collections Support Assistant, Technical Services) earned the Employee Excellence Award for her impeccable work ethic and attention to detail. All of her nominators emphasized the level of trust they have in her work, and her passion and commitment to the Library.
“It was remarkable to witness Hyunjoo’s total dedication to the daunting task at hand and to observe the grace with which she carried out her duties. She never complained, criticized or dramatized. Her competence as a cataloguer was sought after to solve the numerous cataloguing problems which arose,” says one nominator.
Hyunjoo worked diligently on a cataloging project over several years – inventorying thousands of materials, updating and fixing records, and helping move items. As a direct result of her work, UBC Library’s Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indic language, Indonesian, Tibetan and Persian collections have been greatly improved!
Felicia de la Parra
Felicia de la Parra (Library Assistant, Rare Books and Special Collections) is this year’s Unsung Hero. Felicia’s can-do attitude makes her a great team leader, and she is always striving to improve unit processes.
“Felicia is a natural morale booster. She shows constant consideration and concern for colleagues, checking in to make sure they are thriving on both personal and professional levels,” says her nominator.
Always going the extra mile in contributing to the workplace, she has served on the various committees within the Library and is constantly working to make the workplace better for her colleague. Whether planning events or recognizing coworkers, Felicia’s care and understanding in her interactions with staff, students and community members make her an exemplary award recipient.
Barbara Towell
Barbara Towell (e-Records Manager, Records Management) received the Innovation Award for her work in educating colleagues in the Library and across the University. Barbara has consulted with units across campus to provide training in records management policies and procedures.
A colleague notes: “Even after my high initial expectations of someone in her field, I was impressed by Barbara’s focus, detail orientation, and organization. I have no doubt the same level of professionalism is shown to the units across campus Barbara meets with to consult on this same work.”
Barbara’s work on developing educational resources and training materials for records management procedures has established the Records Management Office as a key unit on campus. Her innovative ways of working with colleagues across campus make her a perfect fit for this year’s Innovation Award.