Beta Phi Mu Distinguished Member Award 2024

We are pleased to announce that Cordiah Hayes has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Beta Phi Mu Distingued Award. 
The award will be presented to Ms. Hayes at the ALA annual meeting during the Downs Award Reception.
Location: Marriott Marquis, Grand Ballroom Section 11
Saturday, June 29, 2024
10:30am – 11:30am Pacific

​
In six years, Cordiah Hayes has established herself as a creative, dutiful, and dynamic force in librarianship. Upon graduating with her BA in 2015, she never intended to become a librarian; it happened completely by chance. Working externally as a CyberNavigator allowed her to realize libraries' social, economic, and cultural impact on the community. She decided that a career in librarianship was the right choice, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Balancing her studies and part-time work as a Library Associate, Cordiah's tenure at UIUC included a deeper appreciation for librarianship in various courses involving reference services, youth services librarianship, intellectual freedom, and ultimately being named a Spectrum Scholar in 2021. Since earning her MSLIS in 2022, Cordiah has flourished as a Teen Librarian, helping inner-city youth work to their highest potential whilst piquing their literary interests through STEM-themed and DIY workshops, internships, and book talks. Aside from her librarian duties, she enjoys blogging for the Chicago Public Library's website and editing the staff's monthly newsletter. She enjoys working with youth to show them the library is not only a place to read books, but a safe space for them to discover and follow their dreams.