Former Parkland Press Editor Dr. Eloise Long was recently named as the 2015 Pennsylvania Outstanding Contributor by The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association.

Long, who was editor of this weekly newspaper during the 1990s, is a professor emerita at Kutztown University.

The award is given to recognize an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of Pennsylvania school library programs.

According to the association, as the K-12 Library Science Department Chair at Wilson School District, Long aligned the curriculum to the standards and planned and designed new and remodeled facilities.

As a visionary member of the district's technology committee, she provided insight for how technology would impact education.

As professor and chair of the Department of Library Science and Instructional Technology at Kutztown University, Long's influence culled and molded future school librarians for over twelve years.

Under her leadership, Long designed and presented courses, workshops, and in-service programs for librarians throughout the region.

She also mentored alumni out in the field.

Beyond her involvement at Kutztown, she was a prominent member of several library community groups, including: Friends of Reading-Berks Public Library, Brandywine Community Library, Berks County School Librarians' Association, Berks County Library Association.

Long served as a leader in PSLA as a board member, part of the strategic planning committees, chair of the Archives Committee, and a member of the Professional Standards and Students Committees.

At the state level, Long contributed to the revision and updating of the Pennsylvania Guidelines for School Library Information Program in 2004 and in 2010, she was the co-editor.

As a representative of Kutztown University, Long assisted in updating the new Guidelines for School Library Education Program in Pennsylvania.

On the Board of Directors for the American Association of School Librarians, Long represented the Educators of Library Media Specialist's Section.

In this capacity, she was liaison to the NCATE Coordinating Committee.

Nationally, she reviewed several library programs for NCATE-AASL recognition.

Additionally, she presented to the members of The Association of Teacher Educators and The American Association of College for Teacher Education.

Long was a judicator for the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for 2011.

She will receive the award May 1 at the Pennsylvania School Librarians annual Conference at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey.

The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association is a statewide organization representing more than 850 members.

It is an independent organization for school library professionals who serve in public, private and parochial schools within the commonwealth.

The association is the voice of the school library profession in Pennsylvania and is dedicated to improving school library programs and services for students.

Long spoke with The Press following the announcement.

"I was very surprised and honored to hear about the award," Long said. "I left the Parkland Press as editor 20 years ago and went back to my original field of library science.

"I hope those 20 years have made a positive impact on the field and on future librarians."