Chad Kahl (MS '98), interim associate dean for public services and information technology at Illinois State University, has been awarded the 2016 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Law and Political Science Section (LPSS) Marta Lange/SAGE-CQ Press Award. The award, established in 1996 by LPSS, honors an academic or law librarian who has made distinguished contributions to bibliography and information service in law or political science.
SAGE-CQ Press, sponsor of the award, will present the $1,000 award and plaque to Kahl during the 2016 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.
“Chad’s extensive contributions to legal and political science librarianship span from service to scholarship, continually demonstrating his knowledge of the field, and passion for civic engagement,” said award Chair Mary K. Oberlies, conflict and peace studies librarian at George Mason University. “He has played an active role in the Law and Political Science section of ACRL, having served on numerous committees, and as the section chair, vice-chair/chair-elect, and past chair. Within LPSS he has developed the strategic direction of the section, assisted with programming, and spearheaded efforts to resurrect the Statistical Resources on the Web guide.”
“Professionally, Chad has worked to create a politically engaged campus at Illinois State University, serving on the task force to create a Center for Civic Engagement, and chairing the Political Engagement Project Coordinating Council,” Oberlies continued. “His scholarship also highlights his contributions to legal and political science librarianship with publications and presentations that focus on the intersection of libraries and government, including his chapter in Privacy in the Digital Age, ‘Library Patrons and the National Security State.’ His bibliographic reference source, International Relations, International Security, and Comparative Politics: A Guide to Reference and Information Services, is widely held within libraries and an invaluable reference source for political science and international relations.”
In addition to his degree from GSLIS, Kahl received his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from Illinois.