Jocelyn Ireland, Instructional Design Librarian and Associate Professor at Mohawk Valley Community College, has been named the 2026 Library Staff All-Star by the Central New York Library Resources Council (CLRC).
The award was announced on Oct. 13, 2026, at the council’s annual conference. It recognizes
exemplary library staff serving Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, and Onondaga counties.
Winners are selected by a panel of judges from outside the council’s four-county service
area.
Ireland was unanimously selected for her student-centered approach to librarianship, collaborative spirit, and dedication to making learning more accessible. The selection committee recognized how she has expanded the traditional role of a librarian by meeting students and faculty where they are and developing innovative ways to support their success.
“When MVCC created the position of Instructional Design Librarian 10 years ago, we didn’t know how successful and valuable this position would become,” said Steve Frisbee, Director of the MVCC Libraries. “There is one primary reason for that success: Jocelyn Ireland. Every day, she brings a spirit of service, a dedication to accessibility and inclusion, an extraordinary willingness to share her expertise, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. She has continually expanded and redefined what it can mean to be an instructional design librarian and how a librarian can contribute to student success.”
At MVCC, Ireland’s work extends well beyond the traditional setting. While an engaged member of the Library staff, her service desk is in College’s Learning Commons, where she works alongside students seeking tutoring, academic resources, and accessibility services. By establishing a presence in this collaborative learning environment, Ireland builds relationships with students who might not otherwise seek library assistance. She tailors her approach to the needs of MVCC students, many of whom balance academics with work, family responsibilities, and transportation challenges. She frequently makes time to meet with students outside traditional working hours, helping ensure they can access the support they need.
Her professional leadership extends throughout the State University of New York (SUNY) library community. Through the SUNY Librarians Association (SUNYLA), Ireland has served in several leadership roles, including Planning Committee Chair in 2020, First Vice President in 2021, and President in 2022. She remains actively engaged with SUNYLA and its special interest groups and has led significant efforts for the SUNY Library Information Consortium (SILC).
Ireland also received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship in 2024 and the Friend of SUNY Librarians Association Award in 2026. In addition to her work, Ireland is an active member of the College Senate, Learning Commons Advisory Board, Center for Inclusive Teaching Excellence Advisory Board, and Employee Enrichment Council.