Dr Neeza Singh, Librarian, T.S. Central State Library, Sector 17, Chandigarh received the Best Female Library Personality of the year Award 2022 of India by Association of Senior Library and Information Professionals (ASLIP).
This award was presented to Dr Neeza for her extraordinary contribution and outstanding work in the field of Library and Information Science.
The award function was held at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Sector 26, Chandigarh on 22nd April, 2023. The chief guest on the occasion was Prof Yajvender Pal Verma, Registrar, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Dr Neeza Singh is Gold Medalist in Masters of Library & Information Science and PhD from Panjab University, Chandigarh and currently working as Librarian (Gazetted Govt Officer GroupA, UGC cadre) at T.S. Central State Library, Chandigarh (under Dept of Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration)
She is Standing Committee Member of International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions (IFLA), Hague (Netherlands)
She received the State Award for her meritorious service in 2021 by Honorable Governor Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Sh V.P. Singh Badnore at Chandigarh Administration Independence Day celebrations at Parade Ground Chandigarh. It was the first time ever that a Chandigarh Librarian has been awarded with State Award by Chandigarh Administration. Recently she was honoured as one of the top 75 pioneer Librarians of the Nation on the occasion of 75th Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
She has been Honoured on prestigious IFLA Wall of Fame. Only 10 librarians from India could achieve this fame. Also, she is the only one from Chandigarh to have ever been the Standing Committee Member of IFLA, the highest body of library institutions located in Hague,Netherlands.
She has been awarded Zinda Dil Award (2018) for her outreach services to the underprivileged and also received Best Librarian in Public Library Award (2019) from LPA in Gujarat, apart from many more.
Out of her total career of 20 years, she has 18 years experience of Public Librarianship. She has worked with British Library, Chandigarh, and as College Librarian in Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh. She also held the position of Director, American Corner, US Embassy at Central State Library Chandigarh.
Dr Neeza is a Mentor and Innovator of INELI India and South Asia (International Network of Emerging Library Innovators) sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a leadership programme for Public Librarians.
She is organizing a number of innovative programmes in her Library and outreach programmes for different communities and all age groups. Apart from her Innovative library services, she is serving the underprivileged, reading and library sessions for children in slums, villages, orphanages, old age home, blind school, juvenile home, Nari Niketan and government schools. She was the first to start children workshops in public libraries of Chandigarh. ‘Donate School Books’ was her initiative during the pandemic to help the needy. She involved the community with her literary and library activities during Corona which were even internationally appreciated.
Actively involved in Swachh Bharat, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and other initiatives of Govt of India. She is on panel as Advisor with READ India for North India and Reading Mission.
She has many national and international achievements to her credit. She is widely travelled person and visited Public libraries in Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Washington, Scotland, London, Singapore, Melbourne, Norway and India. Dr Neeza Singh has made several strides in the academia having published and presented a number of research papers and edited volumes. She has attended various national and international conferences, seminars, workshops and delivered invited lectures and talks, participated as member of panel for professional discussions and acted as resource person for workshops. She has guided various bodies to set up libraries.
