Florida State University School of Information alumna Faye C. Roberts received the 2014 Florida Library Association (FLA) Leader of the Year Award in recognition of her distinguished service to the association.

Roberts, who earned a Master of Science in Information Studies degree from the School of Information in 1991, served as FLA’s executive director for six years until January 2014, and is currently a consultant for the association while its office relocates from Lake City to Tallahassee.

After spending a decade as the director of the Columbia County Library in Lake City, Fla., Roberts worked for four years to advance the development of public libraries as a liaison consultant for the State Library & Archives of Florida before becoming executive director of FLA in 2008.  Roberts began her library career in 1985 as a paraprofessional at the Live Oak Library, and worked there while seeking her master’s degree at Florida State.

“Faye Roberts is the epitome of a successful library professional,” the 2014 FLA Awards program stated.  “In her decades of library service she has dramatically advanced the stature of libraries within Florida.  From her ten years as Lake City Director through her years at the State Library, Faye was a risk taker, and innovator.  Faye brought that experience, professionalism and leadership to us as FLA’s executive director.  She is the face of librarianship for all types of libraries in Florida, representing us all with dignity, grace, tact, humor and garnering respect from all who encounter her.”

Learn more about Florida State’s master’s degree in library and information studies.