University Libraries receives 2024 Insight Into Diversity magazine’s Library Excellence in Access and Diversity Award

University Libraries at Virginia Tech received the 2024 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine for its programs and initiatives that encourage and support diversity and inclusion.

Among the 56 academic library award recipients from across the nation, University Libraries at Virginia Tech is the only Virginia awardee.

“We are honored to be chosen for this award,” said Tyler Walters, dean of the University Libraries. “We strive to actively encourage partnerships and provide programming that is inclusive and accessible to all. This exemplifies our commitment to the university’s motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in the spirit of diversity and community.”

A few initiatives highlighted in the nominating materials included the library’s commitment to supporting underrepresented authors and researchers through open access publishing and celebrating authorship at the annual Virginia Tech Authors Recognition Event, scheduled for Feb. 26. The materials also featured the creation of Virginia’s only U.S. Patent and Trademark Resource Center in Newman Library to support inventors and entrepreneurs in the region and the library’s work in finding and creating research connections with historically Black colleges and universities.

University Libraries will be featured as a LEAD award recipient in the magazine’s March issue. Insight Into Diversity is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

“We know that many academic libraries are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion, and access,” said Lenore Pearlstein, the magazine's owner and publisher. “We are proud to honor these college and university libraries as role models for other institutions of higher education.”