Heather Stecklein is the 2018 recipient of the University Library’s Barnard Outstanding Service Award at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Stecklein, from Menomonie, has worked at the library since 2016. She is the director of University Archives and Area Research Center for Dunn, Barron and Pepin counties and serves as the campus records officer.
In the archives she works with students, administrative departments and external researchers. The Area Research Center is part of the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers official county court records from Barron, Dunn and Pepin Counties. She also collaborates with university faculty on classroom projects and provides primary source instruction to faculty and students.
Stecklein’s nominations referred to her excellent attitude, willingness to cooperate and efforts to expand access to archival resources through digital initiatives, instruction and outreach. Stecklein has worked diligently to digitize records to make more of them available to users not in the library and to increase access to make them more available. She also strives to pick up items from across campus to store in archives and is very knowledgeable about UW-Stout’s history.
“It was a thrill,” Stecklein said of receiving the award. “I’m so happy that the Barnard family chose to establish this annual award to honor the work of our library staff. My colleagues and I have developed some wonderful collaborations, and the award is a great way to recognize the ways that we’ve made a difference. I’ve learned a lot about the work of previous recipients, and I’m looking forward to seeing how next year’s honoree will contribute to the success of the UW-Stout community.”
Stecklein said she became interested in archives as an undergraduate student at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, when she started working in the university archives as a work-study student. This year marks her 20th year of working in the archives profession.
An award ceremony was held Wednesday, April 11, at the Robert S. Swanson Library and Learning Center.
The annual award recognized a library employee for exceptional accomplishments in serving the information needs of students, faculty and staff.
The David P. Barnard Family Endowment and Stout University Foundation support the award. David Barnard, retired dean of Learning Resources, and his wife, Kay, established the award in 2000.
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Heather Stecklein
