MAGIRT Honors Award for 2020 Presented to Tsering Wangyal Shawa

CHICAGO – The MAGIRT Nominations and Awards Committee selected Mr. Tsering Wangyal Shawa, Geographic Information Systems, Map Librarian, and Head of Map and Geospatial Information Center at Princeton University, as the recipient of the 2020 MAGIRT Honors Award. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding achievement and major contributions to map and geospatial librarianship and to the Round Table. The presentation was made on Saturday, June 27 at the MAGIRT Virtual Honors Award Celebration during the ALA Virtual Conference. The award was presented by Chair Iris Taylor. Portions of that presentation follow.

The nomination statements submitted to the Committee noted Shawa’s long-standing membership in MAGIRT and admirable service to the cartographic community for a number of years. Shawa has tremendous experience in managing analog and digital maps and geospatial data of the Map and Geospatial Information Center at Princeton University. He has taught geography and cartography in high schools in India, Nepal, and Kenya and to undergraduate students at the University of Juba, South Sudan. At present, he teaches a GIS course titled, “GIS for Public Policy” at the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Nominators noted the incredible generosity Shawa has shown in sharing his expertise. His contributions to geospatial librarianship are particularly outstanding. He has written numerous articles, and given local and international presentations pertaining to geospatial librarianship. He has contributed in exceptional ways through instruction, publications, friendship, mentorship and leadership.

Office and Leadership Positions:

• Chair, Vice-Chair, of MAGIRT from 2004-2006
• Chair, Education Committee, 1999-2000.
• Chair, Geographic Technologies (GeoTech) Committee, 2000-2007, 2019-
• Base line Electronic Mapping editor, 2003-2009
• MAGERT representative to CUAC (Cartographic Users Advisory Council), 2003-2005
• Program Planning for 2002 ALA Conference titled “What Should a GIS Librarian do: Matching Services with Needs & Resources.”
• Program Planning for 2003 ALA Conference titled “Providing Access to Geospatial Data.”

Other Notable Activities:

• Advisor of Geospatial Data Preservation Clearinghouse Project, 2010-2012
• Published map titled “Tibet Township Map and Place Name Index.” The publication was supported by the Princeton University of Department of Art and Archeology.
• Advisory Board of the Commons of Geographic Data.
• Consultant to the Tibetan and Himalayan Digital Library on developing a Gazetteer of Tibet and Himalayan Areas.

The nomination statements continue, “Shawa is a pioneer in the use of GIS technology for map libraries. Shawa started to explore the creation of an online library for map and geospatial data in 2005, when the online GIS concept and GIS librarian position were at beginning stages. GIS web technology and architecture have evolved a great deal in the past fifteen years. His dedication to the field are continuous. Shawa’s ability to keep up with every new development in this fast changing field is amazing. He never hesitates to share his knowledge with colleagues, as well as new visions and lessons learned. His contribution to the group not only help others to gain insights, but also help to create a positive team environment and set an example for others to follow. His tireless and enthusiastic support of the ALA MAGIRT programs in addition to his active research activities in academic librarianship should be recognized and applauded.”