Paul Nelson to Receive WLA President’s Award

Paul Nelson, adjunct assistant professor at UW-Madison SLIS and retired director of Middleton Public Library, will receive the WLA President’s Award at the WLA Conference Awards & Honors banquet on November 3, 2011, at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.

Nelson, who has been in WLA’s legislative leadership for many years and was WLA President in 1998, will end his most recent term as the legislative committee chair at the end of 2011. His leadership was especially important this year as libraries faced some of the biggest challenges in memory, including budget cuts to library programs and institutions, threats to WiscNet and the elimination of maintenance of effort funding requirements for public libraries. 

Nelson’s efforts to keep people informed and motivated to advocate for libraries extends beyond official legislative alerts and communications.  His “Retiring Guy’s Digest” blog provides his personal, behind-the-scenes commentary about library and political activities in Wisconsin. There he often uses humor and a well-honed sense of irony to inspire, enlighten or even spark outrage. It has become a “must-read” blog for library supporters – or anyone - who loves politics and analysis of current issues.

The WLA Board and President Rhonda Puntney thank Paul Nelson for his exemplary legislative leadership during 2011.

The WLA President’s Award is given at the discretion of the WLA President and the Board of Directors.