Christine Moulen, library systems manager and AeroAstro ‘94 graduate, has received the Azriel Morag Award for Innovation from a committee of industry peers. The award is “presented annually to a librarian who has shown innovation and initiative in a library-related area.” Moulen was recognized at the IGeLU Conference in Trondheim in September 2016 for her contributions to Aleph library system development and user community support. At the award presentation, it was noted that:

“Christine was chosen for her above-and-beyond, ongoing contribution to the Aleph community, including popular contributions to the Developer Network. Christine has helped other Aleph users worldwide through the Global Aleph Users list . . . Her answers are carefully thought-out, authoritative, and universally considered by Aleph users to be worthy of their attention.”

The Azriel Morag Award is given in memory of founder and CEO of the Ex Libris company, producer of the Aleph library system underlying the MIT Libraries Barton catalog. Moulen met Morag in the early 2000s and has fond memories of him attending her conference presentations. Anyone who encounters Moulen at a library conference can attest that she is a rockstar in the Aleph user community, with a dedicated fan base that has relied on her vast systems knowledge to help them through a jam or two.

Moulen’s recognition for her professional excellence by a global community of peers comes as no surprise to her MIT Libraries colleagues, who have benefited from her wit, intelligence, and rocket-science-level skill set for years. Moulen began working in the MIT Libraries as a freshman in Course 16 and remained a student employee throughout her undergraduate years. She realized she enjoyed the work so much, she stayed on in a full-time position after graduation. Asked what she appreciates most about her job, she remarks that she always gives the same answer: “It’s the people. I work with some really great staff, and I get to work with them across most areas of the Libraries.”

We’re so pleased to see our colleague recognized for her contributions to the wider library community. Well done, Christine — and well deserved!