TLA GODORT/MARCIVE "Knowledge is Power" Award
Melody Kelly
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
2000 Winner Announcement
The Godort Awards Committee is pleased to name Ms. Melody Kelly as the recipient of the first TLA GODORT/MARCIVE "Knowledge is Power" Award. 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. Kelly has worked professionally with government information for over 25 years serving as a librarian, teacher, and mentor. The head of the Government Documents Department at the University of North Texas Libraries since 1984, she exhibited a vision of electronic access and a supportive leadership resulting in an extensive Web site that serves as a model of what is possible. The site includes a GPO Access Gateway, a web page template for smaller depositories, numerous subject-specific guides, and special collections formed from partnerships with GPO. This site is the official repository of the electronic records of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. A wealth of information which otherwise would have been lost is now preserved for free public access.
Ms. Kelly has provided unique contributions in promoting government information in the K-12 classroom. She has given numerous presentations and authored two books on the subject: Using Government Documents: A How-To-Do-It Manual for School & Public Librarians and Uncle Sam's Net of Knowledge for Schools. These advocacy efforts have brought government documents to the attention of many outside the traditional sphere of document users.
She is a charter member of the Texas Library Association Government Documents Round Table, serving tirelessly as an officer and frequent conference presenter over the years. Her expertise and ready wit make her an effective communicator. She is a role model for many students and colleagues. It is a tribute to her mentoring that a former student, now a documents librarian herself, nominated Ms. Kelly for this award.
It is not just for specific accomplishments that Ms. Kelly is being honored but for her consistent, ongoing commitment to quality. Under her leadership, the UNT Government Documents Department has established a reputation as a leading depository in the state and as an excellent provider of service. As one of Ms. Kelly's colleagues stated, "When I discussed the public service orientation in my [library school] reference classes, I named the documents department as an outstanding example worthy of observation."
For her vision and leadership, for her outreach and teaching, and for her service and example, TLA GODORT and MARCIVE, Inc. are pleased to bestow this award to Ms. Melody Kelly.
