Washington DC—The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) is pleased to announce the selection of Jessica A. Koepfler as the 2010 recipient of the Paul Evan Peters Fellowship for graduate study in the information sciences or librarianship. Koepfler is currently a doctoral student in the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland. The fellowship, which was established to honor the memory of CNI founding Executive Director Paul Evan Peters, recognizes outstanding scholarship and intellectual rigor, as well as civic responsibility, democratic values, and imagination.

Koepfler has a BA in archaeology and classics from the University of Virginia and a graduate degree in museum studies from the University of Toronto; she has also served in the Virginia Army National Guard. Her research addresses issues of human-computer and human-information behavior and interaction, currently focusing on investigating information presentation and participatory design strategies for homeless and underserved populations. “There are so many organizations providing resources for the homeless, but few resource Web sites that are actually designed with the homeless as stakeholders in the process,” Koepfler commented. “The role that public libraries and day shelters play in providing free computer and Internet access makes this an area of great opportunity for applying user-centered design principles to a specific user group’s crucial information needs.”

Judith Klavans, of the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, noted, “Jes is energetic, creative, and eager to make a difference, and Paul [Evan Peters] was committed to making a difference; they have that incredible quality in common.” Selection committee member Kathryn Monday, of the University of Richmond, recognized Koepfler for “the courage to tackle big challenges, a commitment to democratic values, and a great sense of humor,” qualities for which Paul Evan Peters was also known. Monday praised the candidate for including underserved populations in her research, citing Koepfler’s statement of intent, “Improving intellectual productivity and information access for individuals in all walks of life will help create the informed citizenry this country needs…”

A four-member committee selected Koepfler for the award: Kathryn Monday, Vice President for Information Services at the University of Richmond; Patricia Renfro, Deputy University Librarian at Columbia University; Gary Strong, University Librarian at the University of California, Los Angeles; and Joan Lippincott, Associate Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked Information. “We had a wonderful pool of applicants this year,” commented CNI Executive Director Clifford Lynch, “and the choice was very difficult. Jessica captures the combination and balance of talent, potential, and commitment that I think will make her a great selection to carry on the fellowship’s high level of excellence.”

About the Fellowship

The Paul Evan Peters Fellowship was established to honor and perpetuate the memory of the founding Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked Information. Funded by donations from colleagues, friends, and family, the fellowship provides a two-year award of $5,000 per year to a student who demonstrates intellectual and personal qualities consistent with those of Peters, including:

— a commitment to the use of networked information and advanced technology to enhance scholarship, intellectual productivity, and public life;

— an interest in the civic responsibilities of networked information professionals, and a commitment to democratic values and government accountability;

— a positive and creative approach to overcoming personal, technological, and bureaucratic challenges; and

— humor, vision, humanity, and imagination.

The fellowship will be awarded next in 2012; applications will be available on the Web site of the Coalition for Networked Information, https://www.cni.org.

More information about the fellowship is available online at https://www.cni.org/pepfellowship/.

CNI is a coalition of some 200 institutions dedicated to supporting the transformative promise of networked information technology for the advancement of scholarly communication and the enrichment of intellectual productivity. The Coalition, which is sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and EDUCAUSE, is headquartered in Washington DC. More information about CNI is at https://www.cni.org/.

ARL is a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, facilitating the emergence of new roles for research libraries, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit membership association created to support those who lead, manage, and use information technology to benefit higher education. A comprehensive range of resources and activities is available to all EDUCAUSE members. The association’s strategic directions include focus in four areas: Teaching and Learning; Managing the Enterprise; E-Research and E-Scholarship; and the Evolving Role of IT and Leadership. For more information, visit educause.edu.