Penn State Great Valley librarian a ‘mover and shaker’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2008

Alexia Hudson, assistant/reference librarian at Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies since 2006, was recently named to the “Movers & Shakers 2008: The People Shaping the Future of Libraries” list by publishers of Library Journal.  Hudson, who earned her Master of Library Information Systems at University of Pittsburgh in 2005, has been a librarian on the rise since graduation, as evidenced by her being selected American Library Association Emerging Leader for 2007, as well as Pennsylvania Library Association’s New Librarian of the Year for 2007.

Hudson, who lives in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, has been instrumental in bringing new technologies to Penn State Great Valley, including establishing the campus’ presence in the virtual Web world, Second Life. One or her primary goals is to make students aware of how they can use this and other emerging technologies to tap into the global community for educational and commercial purposes.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be selected among this elite group of librarians as one of the 50 Movers & Shakers,” said Hudson.

Penn State Great Valley Head Librarian Dolores Fidishun said the recognition was well deserved.

“Alexia’s enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit have greatly enhanced library service at Penn State Great Valley. While many reference librarians seek new ways to reach students in the Library 2.0 world, Ms. Hudson has taken a giant step by leading the Penn State Great Valley initiative in Second Life. Her presence in the library inspires us all,” she said.