Trevecca Nazarene University professor Judy Bivens is the 2015 recipient of the Clara Hasbrouck Award. The award comes from the Tennessee Association of School Librarians, a professional organization of school librarians across the state.

Bivens is the accreditation co-director and program coordinator of Trevecca’s Master’s of Library and Information Science program.

Before coming to Trevecca, Bivens worked for 25 years as a high school librarian at Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Tennessee. For the past 15 years, she has been an academic librarian at Waggoner Library and a part of the MLIS program at Trevecca. As coordinator of the MLIS program, Bivens teaches classes and supervises the clinical field experiences of MLIS students. 

The Clara Hasbrouck Award is given to an individual demonstrated remarkable commitment toward school libraries in Tennessee. Recipients of the award must be a member of TASL, demonstrate service to TASL at both a state and local level, and be a school librarian or library supervisor in the state of Tennessee.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by my peers — especially many of whom I have taught as part of the Trevecca MLIS program,” Bivens said. “I have always felt led to be an advocate for libraries, especially school libraries.”

Bivens has been a member of TSAL since it began and continues to be very active in the organization. She presents regularly at the annual conference and has served as an officer. 

Ruth Kinnersley, director of library services at Trevecca, and the other librarians are very proud of Bivens.

“Dr. Bivens is an encourager,” Kinnersly said. “She inspires her students to excellence, to professional involvement, and to help every child enjoy reading. It is easy to see why she was nominated and selected to receive the Clara Hasbrouck Award.”

--Trevecca Nazarene University