Pritchard New Editor of Journal Exploring Libraries and Technology

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Sarah M. Pritchard, Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian at Northwestern University, is the new editor of "portal: Libraries and the Academy." The academic journal examines the role of libraries in meeting institutional missions and explores how technology affects libraries and scholarship.

A member of "portal's" editorial board since 2000, Pritchard has written more than 65 articles, reviews and compilations. She has lectured and consulted in this country and abroad on women's studies, digital services, collection development, library management and other professional issues.

Pritchard came to Northwestern in 2006 from University of California Santa Barbara, where she served as University Librarian. Prior to that, she was director of libraries at Smith College and associate director at the Association of Research Libraries. Her library career began at the Library of Congress.

Since Pritchard's arrival at Northwestern, she has focused on articulating a new strategic plan focusing on digital resources, enhancing special collections, customized faculty and students services, transformation of library space and increased development and community outreach.

An active member of the American Library Association (ALA), Pritchard also is involved in the Association of Research Libraries, the Coalition for Networked Information and other professional groups. She has served on statewide library boards in California and Massachusetts.

In 1997, Pritchard received the ALA's Equality Award for leadership in advancing women's issues in the library profession. The same year she was named Distinguished Alumna of the University of Wisconsin School of Library and Information Science. In 2001, Pritchard was awarded the Career Achievement Award in Women's Studies by the Association of College and Research Libraries.