2003 Entrepreneurial Award

Getting to Know Beth Leitz

Beth Leitz was selected by the faculty of the GSLIS at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to be its 3^rd annual C. Berger Group Entrepreneurial Promise Award winner for 2003. A dynamically active student, Beth was recognized for her energy, dedication and achievement and her potential to succeed in the new millennium business climate. Beth is a real go getter: she completed two campus assignments while pursuing her degree and lined up a new permanent job before graduating.

Beth received her BS in English and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin and came to library science after working for 3 years in surveying and excavating for an archeological contractor and 3 years at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the Division of Academic Support. When she analyzed her interests, she recognized a pattern of being drawn toward situations where she organized and created access to information. This led to more research on career opportunities and a decision to pursue a library degree. The University of Illinois at Urbana was her choice because of its ranking, diversity of the faculty and their research specialties. Once she was enrolled, Beth came to appreciate even more their abilities to give students new and different ways of looking at and approaching issues. “A student can really grow there. Professors are forward thinking and pushed you to think further and go in other directions.” Her proudest accomplishments were in trying to get everything she could from the program and opportunities offered by it while still a student. She attended many presentations, met guest-speakers and became involved in both the Special Libraries Association (SLA) and the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST) Student Chapter’s activities. Beth also accepted assignments as a Library Graduate Assistant with the Illinois State Water Survey Library and with the Office for Strategic Business Initiatives of the College of Commerce and Business Administration, first as Library and Information Science Student Director and then as a Knowledge Management Consultant. It was in the last position that Beth’s skills as a information specialist and indexer really blossomed. She developed a system to monitor and access information about MBA student project teams sent out to solve business problems.

When asked to describe the ideal job, Ms. Leitz sketched a position with variety that also adds value to the organization it serves. It would combine research, information organization and working with various collections of media. A history, archeology or business setting would be perfect - - one where the skills of a special librarian or information/knowledge management specialist would shine. One, perhaps, like her new professional position with the University of Illinois Archives, assigned to the Abbott Power Plant where she will be providing practical expertise to improve workflow processes there.

What’s Beth’s advice for students and potential librarians? “Going to library school is absolutely worth the effort. You should get involved in anything that interests you, including student groups and relevant units in other programs, and you should definitely get to know the people”. She thinks that will pay off handsomely in the future.

Beth, a resident of Urbana and Wisconsin native, received her C. Berger Group Entrepreneurial Promise Award citation along with the $100 honorarium at GSLIS convocation May 18, 2003 in Champaign.