Paula Roper named MLA Outstanding Professional Librarian

Nov. 6, 2024

University of Missouri librarian Paula Roper was named Outstanding Professional Librarian at the 2024 Missouri Library Association Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

First awarded in 2017, the Outstanding Professional Librarian Award recognizes a librarian who has made a significant contribution to the improvement and advancement of library and information services.

Paula Roper has worked for Mizzou Libraries for nearly 40 years, beginning her career at Ellis Library as part of the inaugural Mizzou postgraduate "Intern-Scholar Program" in 1986.

During her time at Ellis, Roper has worked to aid both students and faculty, from the early days of online catalogs to the current challenges of navigating AI software.

She has also advocated for the library's involvement across campus, including large, public events such as Black History Month programming and National History Day.