Congratulations to alumna Leah Sherman (PhD ’25), who has received the 2026 Fred L. Standley Award for Librarian of the Year at Florida State University, in recognition of accomplishments and contributions to the University and its faculty and students through exceptional librarianship. Named for Fred L. Standley, FSU Daisy Parker Flory Professor of English and two-time President of the Friends of the University Libraries, the award honors a legacy of service to the FSU Libraries. Sherman reflects, “Many of the past recipients of this award are colleagues I deeply respect and admire, and I’m thrilled to now be counted among them.”
Dr. Sherman has established herself as a leader in the field of arts librarianship through progressive leadership at the regional, national, and international levels. She previously served as the President of the Southeast chapter of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) and has held leadership positions within ARLIS/NA and the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), most recently beginning a three-year term as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect/Past Chair of the ACRL Arts Section. Her scholarship draws on her dual background in art history and arts librarianship, with a particular focus on cultural heritage and GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums). Her research, publications, and presentations have contributed to conversations across arts librarianship, art history, and cultural heritage.
As Visual & Performing Arts Librarian, Dr. Sherman supports teaching and research across all departments in the College of Fine Arts. Her work extends into the broader FSU community through close relationships with the Museum of Fine Arts, The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, and the Master Craftsman Studio. She stewards the Libraries’ legacy fine arts collections and in 2016 founded the Art in the Library program.
Leah’s nomination for the Standley Award was initiated by the Departments of Art History and Arts Leadership, Education and Therapy, and supported by letters of support from colleagues across FSU and professional librarianship networks, including students, staff, faculty, alumni from FSU and regional, national, and international colleagues. Her wide-ranging impact is evident in a small sample of the comments and posts that were sent in support of her nomination:
“Leah consistently finds thoughtful and innovative ways to support student research. Most recently, she visited my graduate course for emerging instructors, where she offered clear, practical guidance on how to support undergraduate research and effectively use library resources in the classroom. She is equally dedicated in her one-on-one consultations with undergraduate students conducting independent research, offering tailored support that helps them navigate complex questions with confidence.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Leah on several initiatives through the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA). She has a remarkable gift for bringing people together through creative and engaging ideas. We’ve co-hosted multiple panel events, and most recently collaborated as affiliate liaisons within ARLIS. I know that when Leah leads an initiative, it will be executed smoothly, collaboratively, and with genuine kindness and care for everyone involved.”
“If a student’s thinking about a seminar paper topic is stalling, I send them to Leah, but for more than just bibliography. Her innate curiosity about people often solicits a research angle on a topic that doesn’t always materialize when the professor alone is advising. Leah can sense in the student a research angle that is personally interesting to them. Having personal stakes in a topic makes for a more engaged student and a better developed paper.”
“Dr. Sherman has provided exceptional support on multiple occasions, helping me identify materials essential to my research and professional work as a PhD candidate. Her commitment to facilitating access to scholarly resources is remarkable. In one instance, she assisted in securing access to newly published materials that had not yet been acquired by the university, allowing my research to proceed in a timely and meaningful way. She also delivered an outstanding invited lecture for one of my courses on digital research tools and methodologies. Her presentation was rigorous, clear, and highly relevant to graduate research, demonstrating her expertise, professionalism, and dedication to supporting advanced scholarship.”
“Dr. Leah Sherman’s long-standing partnership with The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has been transformative, providing essential expertise to our executive team, faculty, staff, and students. Most notably, following the 2025 retirement of our Head of Library Services (Elisa Hansen), Dr. Sherman served as one of our strategic architects for a critical senior leadership transition…[Her] professional rigor was the catalyst for a remarkably efficient and successful search. Dr. Sherman’s dedication to The Ringling restored vital library services after a year-long vacancy, directly impacting the research capabilities of our entire institution.”
“Leah has redefined the role of the arts librarian not only at FSU but at the national level. Leah’s instruction sessions combine innovation and active learning, and her in-depth individual consultations with students and faculty consistently enrich their research methods and scholarly outputs. Perhaps most significantly, Leah has brought the arts to the center of FSU Libraries outreach by developing two high-profile and engaging programs: pop-up performances and Art in the Library. Leah’s ability to sustain and expand two impactful programs is a testament to her library leadership prowess and her advocacy for the arts.”
