Library Employee News, April 2026
Published April 16, 2026
2 Minute Read
Awards & Recognition
Janice Grover, Carol J. McMurry Librarian for Academic Excellence Librarian, was selected as a recipient of the 2026 Promoting Intellectual Engagement in the First Year (PIE) Award. This award recognizes faculty who inspire first-year students intellectually and is sponsored by several programs across Academic and Student Affairs, including the Ellbogen Center for Teaching & Learning, the Center for Advising and Career Services, the Dean of Students Office, and LeaRN Programs.
Shannon Smith, Chair of Collection Management, was selected as a 2026 Presidential Scholarly Award for Early Career Faculty recipient. She was selected for this award for her potential for scholarship activities that advance the work of UW.
New Hires & Appointments
Rachel Hammer
Rachel Hammer joined the University of Wyoming Libraries as the Transfer Support Librarian. She earned her Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of Denver and also holds a Master’s of Arts in English from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to joining UW Libraries, Rachel was a research and instruction librarian at the University of Nebraska, Kearney. Her research interests include information literacy instruction, the role of humor in an academic setting, 20th-century British literature, and detective fiction. Rachel enjoys baking, photography, amigurumi crochet, musical theatre, and reading cookbooks.
Amber Lotspeich
Amber Lotspeich is the Electronic Resources Librarian at the University of Wyoming Libraries. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Mary's College of California. Her research interests include critical cataloging and 19th-century Britain.
Prior to joining UW, Amber worked at Southern Oregon University Hannon Library, Jackson County Library Services, and the Getty Research Institute. Outside of work, Amber enjoys reading, attending concerts, and spending time with her family dog.
Virginia Sytsma is the new Academic Success Librarian at UW Libraries. She has a Master of Library and Information Science from University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Arts in History of Medicine from McGill University. Virginia’s previous experience includes providing support and programming within a university innovation centre, adult services in a public library, and in project management for a national organization that creates and distributes library materials for individuals with print disabilities. Virginia’s research interests include experiences of library employees with disabilities, and simplified search techniques for STEM students. She is a lifelong equestrian, avid gym rat, and lover of cats.
2026 Staff Years of Service Award
Staff Senate annually recognizes years of service of classified staff in increments of years. This spring, UW Libraries had some employees who were recognized that we would like to highlight:
Gayle Amundson - 10 Years of Service
Wendi Chatman - 20 Years of Service
Brenna Philbrick - 20 Years of Service
Congratulations and thank you to all our staff members who were recognized this year!
