Distinguished Staff Award
Recognizes Outstanding Service to the University by Its Staff
Michael Biggins
Department: Libraries
On the Job: Slavic and Eastern European Librarian, 11 years at UW
Achievements: Some professors hail Biggins as "the best Slavic librarian in the country" and say they have the evidence to prove it. He is credited with UW Libraries acquiring the largest collection of Baltic publications of any university library in the U.S.-some say it's the best collection outside the Baltics. UW Libraries recently surpassed the Library of Congress for its Latvian publications, a feat accomplished largely due to Biggins, who convinced the Latvian Studies Association to donate a 12,000-volume collection. Holding a doctoral degree in Slavic languages and literature, he also is an affiliate professor in the Slavic department, teaching translation courses. Biggins is also trying to establish a Slovenian Studies Center at the UW.
Quote: "Michael is a 'full service' librarian who goes well beyond our most ambitious expectations, makes a discernible difference in the lives of the people he serves, and is universally admired. Through his outstanding efforts, the Libraries' Slavic and East European program is the envy of the nation."-Librarian Joyce Ogburn