Ruan receives CALA Outstanding Leadership Award

Lian Ruan
Lian Ruan, Research Affiliate

Research Affiliate Lian Ruan (MS/LIS '90, PhD '11) has been selected as the recipient of the 2021-2022 Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) Outstanding Library Leadership Award in memory of Dr. Margaret Chang Fung. She was recognized at the CALA awards ceremony and board meeting on June 17.

According to the announcement from CALA, "Dr. Ruan has been dedicated to Chinese-American librarianship throughout her career. She has committed to the growth and integrity of CALA as a strong ethnic professional association through her outstanding leadership, passionate activism, and professional involvement."

During her tenure as CALA vice-president, president, and executive director, she co-chaired the CALA strategic plan, increased membership, created an archive system for the association, and reinstated CALA's legal status as a registered nonprofit organization.

Ruan has served as head librarian for the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) since 1999. In 2006, she was named director of IFSI's international programs. She has been recognized both nationally and internationally for her commitment to excellence in the profession. Her recent honors include the CALA President Recognition Award (2016), Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year Award (2017), and CALA Distinguished Service Award (2019).

Ruan earned her MS and PhD in library and information science from Illinois, MA in African history from UCLA, and bachelor's degree in world history from Peking University in China.

Research Areas:
Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Dingle pays it forward through annual donation

When Susan Dingle (MSLIS '75) was researching various career paths in high school, she came across a pamphlet about librarians. The pamphlet's description of reference librarians piqued her interest and set her on a path that eventually led to her enrolling in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (as the iSchool was then known).

Susan Dingle

Get to know Jordan Neal, adult services manager

Jordan Neal (MSLIS '17) enjoys serving her community through her work at the Champaign Public Library. This fall, Neal was named one of Central Illinois Business magazine's 2023 Forty under 40 Award winners. The awards are given to young professionals in recognition of their career achievements, leadership ability, and dedication to community service.

Jordan Neal

Smalheiser named ACMI Fellow

Affiliate Professor Neil Smalheiser, professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago, is one of twenty-three new Fellows inducted into the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI). New Fellows are elected annually to the College by the 473-member body of Fellows.

Neil R Smalheiser

Spectrum Scholar Spotlight: Abigail Deweese

Seventeen iSchool master's students have been named 2023-2024 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MSLIS student Abigail Deweese earned her bachelor's degree in global studies with a concentration in peace and conflict from Principia College.

Abigail Deweese

Ayorinde receives Jira Scholarship

MSLIS student Elizabeth Ayorinde has been awarded the Helen Jira Scholarship from the Health Science Librarians of Illinois (HSLI). The scholarship provides up to $5,000 towards tuition and/or other educational expenses for students pursuing a master's degree in library and information science. HSLI sponsors and supports activities that promote and develop health science library services in Illinois.

Elizabeth Ayorinde