The Information Use Management and Policy Institute and Beta Phi Mu, the International Library and Information Studies Honor Society announce the establishment of a Distinguished Lecture Award in honor of Dr. Mary Jo Lynch for her outstanding research contributions and her support for library and information science research. Charles R. McClure, Director of the Information Institute announced the award at Dr. Lynch's retirement celebration on December 4, 2003

Dr. Mary Jo Lynch, Director of the American Library Association (ALA), Office for Research and Statistics, has held the position since 1978 and will retire December 2003. She received her Ph.D. in library service from Rutgers University and worked as a reference librarian at the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit before joining the ALA. Her research has encompassed reference service, planning and measurement of library service, and research on libraries and librarianship. One of her lasting contributions is in the area of statistical reporting on the value of public libraries and librarianship. Many of her published works report on public library statistics and the use of those statistics for library decision making.

Dr. Lynch served tirelessly on many committees focused on the development of public libraries in the last twenty years. She was a strong proponent for the establishment of the Federal State Cooperative System for Public Library Data (FSCS) and guided its development as a member of the steering committee for twenty years. Many of the committees on which Dr. Lynch served were in conjunction with the National Center for Education Statistics, most recently the State Library Agency Survey Advisory Committee and the Academic Library Survey Advisory Committee.

The $2000 annual competitive award will begin in 2004 with the recipient being an innovative and research-oriented faculty member, library/information center practitioner, or a member of the information industry. The recipient will present either a lecture on original research completed or in process, or lecture/assess the state-of-the-art or future of LIS research or some aspect of LIS research. Information on how to apply for the award can be found at: http://www.beta-phi-mu.org.

Dr. Charles R. McClure, Director of the Information Institute said "Dr. Lynch embodies the values of scholarship, leadership, and service to library and information studies and it is the privilege for The Information Use Management and Policy Institute and Beta Phi Mu to provide an opportunity for other members of this community to continue her scholarly tradition."