Sister Judith Nell Riney, recently retired director of library services at Brescia University, has been named this year’s recipient of the Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL) Sheree Award. The honor recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to KYVL through their service and leadership.
The award is named for Sheree Williams, director of the Learning Commons and professor at Jefferson Community and Technical College, who served on the committee that launched the library in 1999. She was on hand to make this year’s presentation to Riney.
“I am so grateful that I live in a state that had the wisdom to provide a KYVL for every citizen, no matter [their] age, race, wealth, or religion,” Riney said upon receiving the award. “KYVL demonstrates that Kentucky genuinely cares about providing equal educational opportunities for all its members, and I am truly proud to have been a part of this KYVL organization since its beginnings.”
KYVL, a program of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, offers online access to library services and resources at discounted rates to K-12 schools, universities, special libraries, and public libraries.
“Sister Judith has been a respected and beloved colleague in KYVL and across the Commonwealth throughout her 45-year library career,” Ilona Burdette, KYVL executive director, said in a release. “She was involved when the state was exploring the creation of KYVL more than 25 years ago, and she has continued to contribute to KYVL’s mission of making high-quality, affordable library resources available throughout Kentucky ever since.”
Earlier this year, Riney was one of 10 individuals honored by Brescia University at its inaugural Laurel Awards ceremony. The awards’ name was inspired by the laurel tree, a symbol of triumph, resilience, and virtue found in both the crest of Brescia University and its founding order, the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph.
During the ceremony, Riney was presented with the Outstanding Alumna Award. She helped develop and implement the first online class at Brescia and was instrumental in the transition from a card catalog system to the modern digital library system, according to a release from Brescia. Riney, who retired in May after 45 years as the director of Library Services at the Father Leonard Alvey Library, has served on numerous library boards and committees throughout her career.
