When Troy Swanson started at Augustana College in Rock Island, he planned to become a lawyer. However, his work-study job in the library changed his path. Spending considerable time amidst the books, Swanson realized he enjoyed research but not the practice of law. The library environment inspired him to pursue librarianship.
More than 20 years later, Swanson received the Academic Librarian of the Year award from the Illinois Library Association. The honor will be presented at the association’s annual conference from October 6-8 in Peoria.
Swanson chairs the Library/Learning Resources Center at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. He collaborates with faculty to guide students on conducting research and evaluating credible sources. Additionally, Swanson oversees public programming at the Sylvia M. Jenkins Library, organizing events like speaker sessions and faculty panels. He also manages the library’s website and collection.
Beyond Moraine Valley, Swanson serves as an adjunct professor at Dominican University’s School of Information Studies. He emphasizes the importance of practical experience in librarianship and enjoys witnessing students’ learning breakthroughs. Swanson expressed surprise and gratitude for the award, acknowledging past recipients’ achievements and the support he has received throughout his career.
Swanson’s supervisor at Moraine Valley, Terra Jacobson, nominated him for the award with support from colleagues Marie Martino and Jayne Killackey. Jacobson highlighted Swanson’s leadership and innovation, particularly in the context of community college librarianship. She noted his efforts in expanding library outreach and advocating for academic libraries.
The award acknowledges notable service in Illinois academic or research libraries. Jacobson praised Swanson’s statewide collaboration and efforts to demonstrate libraries’ academic value. Don Hamerly, director of the library program at Dominican, described Swanson as a collaborator with innovative approaches to librarian leadership. Hamerly credited Swanson’s recognition to his impact in developing standards for college student information literacy and safeguarding library workers.
Swanson’s role in transforming Moraine Valley’s library is seen as his greatest achievement. Jacobson notes that Swanson has reshaped the library into an academic center, instigating meaningful discussions among students and faculty. Swanson stresses that the library aims to remain dynamic and community-focused, diverging from perceptions of traditional libraries.
Highlights of Swanson’s other contributions include serving as legislative chairman for the Cook County College Teachers’ Union. He played a role in passing HB 1859, a law requiring community college courses be taught by human instructors, preserving the credibility of college credits.
Swanson participated in writing the “Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education” for the Association of College and Research Libraries. This national standard delineates information usage and skills within higher education.
Swanson’s most recent book, “Knowledge As a Feeling,” examines neuroscience and technology in relation to information literacy. He urges librarians to adapt their understanding of knowledge, aligning with scientific insights. Swanson encourages others to consider a career in academic librarianship, highlighting that it involves fostering community ideas rather than solely managing books.