Samip Mallick wins 2021 Alexandre Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2021
Media contact: Lacey Torge
Email: lacey@libraryjuicepress.com

Samip Mallick has been selected as the winner of the 2021 Alexandre Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries, in recognition of his work as a creator of the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA).

The award jury was greatly impressed by Mr. Mallick’s efforts. As stated in the nomination letter,

“The creativity with which Samip directs SAADA is astounding. He combines the technical skills from his undergraduate degree in computer science, a deep respect for LIS acquired from his MLIS degree from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, major sensitivity to the intricacies of diaspora politics, and genuine care for the people he has brought into community through archival materials. Not restricted by lack of daily face-to face reference interactions with users, Samip has created a national community of history lovers through public events, online programming, artist-in-residency programs, walking tours, participatory digital micro-history projects, and fellowships for community activists to document their own communities. His energy is unparalleled. His ability to connect South Asian Americans to resources documenting their own history is incredible. Never resting on his laurels, he is continually driven to do better, collect more, connect more, fill in gaps, push the boundaries of archival practice, and build community.”

Given annually by Library Juice Press, the Vattemare Award recognizes contributions in the LIS field that are marked by originality, creative energy, and novel combinations of ideas. The primary consideration in selecting the awardee is their creation of new possibilities for libraries and library workers.

The award consists of $1000 and a framed certificate.

The South Asian American Digital Archive is at https://www.saada.org/.

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