The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics (KCGI) is pleased to announce that Professor Trevor Dawes, who teaches Library and Information Science, has been named the 2026 Academic/Research Librarian of the Year by the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL).
This prestigious award recognizes an outstanding member of the library profession who has made significant contributions to academic or research librarianship and to the advancement of library services at the national or international level. Professor Dawes was selected in recognition of his distinguished achievements in the field and his continued impact on the global library community.
In response to receiving the award, Professor Dawes shared the following message:
“I am still taking it all in. THANK YOU to my colleagues who nominated me and saw something worthy of this recognition. You believed in the value of this work when it would have been easy not to notice, and that means everything to me. I am also truly honored to join the list of so many distinguished colleagues who have received this award before me. What an incredible group to be a part of. Their work has long inspired my own, and I do not take lightly the privilege of being included in their company. I am so grateful to ACRL and to the broader library community that has shaped who I am as a professional and as a person. This is truly an honor I share with all of you.”
Founded in 1940, the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, is a leading professional organization with approximately 8,500 members, including both individuals and institutions. ACRL supports professionals in academic and research libraries, primarily in North America, by providing programs, resources, and services that promote innovation, leadership, and excellence in higher education. The organization is dedicated to advancing learning, transforming scholarly research, and fostering inclusive and diverse communities.ACRL annually honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in areas such as leadership within professional organizations, impactful research in library services, scholarly publications, and the development and implementation of innovative library programs.