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.