McIntyre Library has been recognized for its excellence by receiving the Wisconsin Library Association’s (WLA) Library of the Year award for 2024.

This honor, according to the WLA, can be bestowed upon any of the libraries, library systems or library networks in Wisconsin. It is based on the high level of service quality that distinguishes one from the others.

Jill Markgraf is the director of libraries at UW-Eau Claire. She is also a copyright officer and professor.

“The honor is awarded based on a library’s impact on the local community and the larger community, as well as its commitment to its users and innovation,” Markgraf said. “I believe we were able to demonstrate these qualities thanks to the commitment of every McIntyre staff member.”

The WLA listed many of McIntyre’s award-winning qualities, values and services on their website, one being the library’s makerspace and digital studio. McIntyre was the first library to provide these spaces in the University of Wisconsin System.

“They provide students with equitable access not only to traditional library resources but also to technologies, tools and training in everything from 3D printers and sewing machines to recording studios and virtual reality equipment,” the WLA wrote on their website. 

According to the WLA, usage of the makerspace within the last year has increased by 67% overall, and its integration into course curriculum has increased by 200%. 

McIntyre staff also provide mentoring for students as they pursue internships and undergraduate research experiences. According to the WLA, the library’s nine librarians mentored 21 students in the last 18 months. 

This included research on anti-racist research methods, banned books and more.

“This award recognizes the important — and often invisible — work that our library staff does every day in a myriad of ways,” Markgraf said. “We embrace a ‘library as laboratory’ philosophy, providing students with real-world, meaningful opportunities.”

McIntyre also allows students to practice and improve their professional skills by serving as a simulated client, according to Markgraf. The library is often involved with semester-long projects by partnering with a variety of classes.

Other highlights mentioned in the library’s nomination were the appreciation events and get-togethers for student employees. 

Graduating student employees can display their contributions on a bookplate and place it inside any library book of their choosing, according to the WLA. Additionally, they are recognized in the library newsletter and may be awarded the annual library student employee scholarship.

One of McIntyre’s more recent accomplishments was the digitization of Volume One, an arts and entertainment magazine for the Chippewa Valley. According to the Volume One website, the magazine has about 45,000 readers.

“This ambitious project resulted in a freely searchable archive comprising 30,000 digitized pages that represent 22 years’ worth of cultural and regional history that was previously lost to the public,” the WLA wrote on their website.

The WLA also mentioned McIntyre’s “sense of play” with certain events and activities, such as the “Library After Dark” back-to-school party, dance flash mobs, art installations, student film festivals and over 100 therapy dog visits annually.

“We are not the biggest or best-resourced library out there, but we do a great job of harnessing the individual talents, areas of expertise and innovative ideas of our staff,” Markgraf said. “My library colleagues are committed to making the library a welcoming, inclusive and relevant place.” 

Additional activities for students within the library include yoga, ping-pong, hammocking and board games. According to the WLA, McIntyre believes that if they offer a wide variety of experiences and resources to pique student interest, every student can be a library user.

On Nov. 7, the library staff will attend the WLA’s annual conference in Green Bay to receive and be recognized for this honor.

“This award is reflective of a campus culture that truly centers the student experience,” Markgraf said. “Exceptional work is happening throughout the university — within and outside of classrooms — to foster curiosity and empower students to thrive in a complex world.” 

Matczak can be reached at [email protected].