UH Libraries’ Dean Rooks Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Dana Rooks, Dean of Libraries and Elizabeth D. Rockwell Chair, was presented with the Texas Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award at the 101st TLA Annual Conference.
Dana Rooks, dean of Libraries and Elizabeth D. Rockwell chair, was presented with the Texas Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award at the 101st TLA Annual Conference last month.
The award recognized Dean Rooks’ distinguished career, noted for her excellence in librarianship and outstanding contributions to the profession. She is known amongst her colleagues as a committed leader and mentor.
Her career began in 1970 at the University of Oklahoma Libraries. After four years, she moved to the University of Missouri – St. Louis Libraries. Rooks then joined the University of Houston in 1980 as the Business and Economics Librarian. She was named Dean in 1997.
Dean Rooks has held several national leadership roles, including serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). She is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA), having served on the Board of Directors of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). She also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), and as Vice-Chair of the Board of AMIGOS Library Services.
Dean Rooks founded and served as president of the Texas Council of Academic Libraries, and is one of the founders of TexShare, providing leadership in the creation and development of the innovative model for statewide library resource sharing. She has served as president of the Texas Library Association, and currently serves as Chair of the Texas Digital Library Governing Board Executive Committee.
Dean Rooks is the recipient of the 2009 TLA Distinguished Service Award and the 1997 Librarian of the Year Award. She is a prolific author and expert in the areas of administration and organizational development, the application of library technology, and library fundraising.
Her achievements in fundraising have had an impact on the academic careers of countless students and scholars. She completed a $20 million campaign for a Library building addition, secured significant support for collection endowments, three endowed chairs, and numerous endowments for program support, including staff recognition and library excellence