UMD Libraries manager James Spring awarded campus MVP Impact Award

James Spring, Library Services Unit Manager in McKeldin Library, has been named a recipient of UMD’s inaugural MVP Impact Award alongside 17 staff members from units and departments across campus. The MVP Impact Award recognizes staff members who, over the past year, have demonstrated a Fearlessly Forward attitude of excellence, outstanding service to the university and their colleagues, and a commitment to improving their workplace. Spring and fellow recipients were honored at a reception hosted by university leadership and each received a $1,000 cash award.

Spring has been making noteworthy contributions since he started working at the University Libraries in 2013. Ten years and two promotions later, he skillfully manages the daily operations of McKeldin's Library Services Desk, co-manages the Libraries’ virtual “Ask Us” services, and supervises a unit of 7 staff and 35 student employees.

“James approaches his work with an unwavering commitment to delivering the best possible customer service to all library users and makes continuous improvements to the systems involved, while being equally committed to supporting his employees,” said Hilary Thompson, Director, User Services & Resource Sharing. “Beyond his superb job performance, what really makes James an MVP is the way in which he consistently contributes to the success of the University Libraries’ services and operations above and beyond his job responsibilities and the Library Services unit.”

A few notable examples from the last year alone include contributing to the planning and execution of student engagement programs, serving on a task force to reimagine the former Terrapin Tech Store space, working with the Libraries’ IT department to create more flexible public spaces, leading emergency preparedness training, and collaborating with student organizations to encourage voter participation.

“It means a lot to be recognized at the campus level, both personally and as a representative of the UMD Libraries,” said Spring. “The award itself is great, but the notes and messages of congratulations and support I've been getting from my library colleagues since it was announced are even more meaningful.”

The MVP Impact Award, given alongside the Terrapin Innovation Award, is one of several new initiatives resulting from the university’s ongoing work to invest in people and communities and was created directly based on feedback from UMD staff.