TLA GODORT/MARCIVE "Knowledge is Power" Award
Bonnie Grobar
A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governours, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. -- James Madison
"Knowledge is Power" Award Recipient for 2002
The TLA GODORT Awards Committee and MARCIVE, Inc. are pleased to announce Bonnie C. Grobar as the recipient of the TLA GODORT/MARCIVE "Knowledge is Power" Award for 2002. This award honors an individual recognized by his or her peers as being an active supporter and advocate for the use of government information in education, research, and/or commerce. The award is supported by a $400 contribution by MARCIVE, Inc.
Ms. Grobar served as a Texas librarian for over 27 years, working at Sul Ross State University, Dallas Public Library, and the McDonald Observatory, before joining the Texas State Library in 1976. At the State Library, she managed the Information Services Division, which includes both regional federal and state depository collections. As one librarian observed, "She was a never-tiring advocate for getting government information (state and federal) to patrons ... Her expertise and passion for her work and her wonderful people skills was a combination that one doesn't frequently find."
During her tenure at the State Library, Ms. Grobar implemented new programs and enhancements of existing services. For example, she supported the creation of an electronic statewide disposal list network. This innovation sped up the process of disposing and acquiring disposed documents and reduced postage and paper expenses for all participants. As one colleague commented, she "encouraged all to think 'outside the box' and embrace creativity."
Ms. Grobar has been active in the Texas Library Association, TLA Government Documents Round Table, and TLA Interlibrary Loan Round Table. She was a founding member of the State Agency Libraries of Texas (SALT). Ms. Grobar participated in the establishment of the Texas State Data Center network and served as one of the Center's lead contacts. She also worked on the development of the original Texas State Plan for Federal Depository Library Services, which improved service and access to federal documents throughout the state of Texas.
Since her retirement from the Texas State Library and Archives in 1995, Ms. Grobar has remained active in the field of government documents librarianship. She has taught a graduate level Government Documents class at the University of Texas at Austin, inspiring students to look to this area when planning their careers. She has had a variety of contract positions, including work at the Texas Rehabilitation Commission and work once again at the Texas State Library as Special Projects Coordinator for the Library Resource Sharing Division.
For her advocacy of government documents, for her service, and for her dedication to patrons and the community, TLA GODORT and MARCIVE, Inc. are pleased to present this award to Bonnie C. Grobar.
