With over 14 years of experience as an academic library director, Liesl Cottrell is passionate about guiding students and faculty through the research process, helping them find both confidence and joy along the way. She is committed to fostering collaborative partnerships that extend the library’s impact across the university and beyond. She welcomes every opportunity to explore the question: “Can the library really do that?”

Academic and Professional Highlights

Grants & Awards

  • $820 (2025) West Cook Wild Ones Grant for designing the campus native garden
  • $10,000 (2025) TLTC Project Award for MakerSpace with the Art and Theater Departments
  • $150,000 (2024) Illinois State Library Grant for OER implementation in three university courses.
  • $62,790.48 (2023) Illinois SCOERs Grant for post-pandemic business course content updates in two undergraduate courses affecting hundreds of students per year.
  • $5,000 (2024) RAILS Grant: “My Library Is...” program connecting children and college students.
  • $20,000 (2022) ALA COVID Library Relief Fund for first-generation student support initiatives.
  • Recipient of the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) 2025 Staff Seminar: Vocation Across Campus by the Council of Independent Colleges

Publications:

  • Cottrell, L. (May 2025). Story Times in Academia: How a grant sparked creativity and fun for children and college students. RAILS Blog. Retrieved from https://railslibraries.org/libraries/news/121312

  • Cottrell, L., & Bell, E. (2019). Redesigning the Resurrection University Library. ACRL: College Library Section Newsletter, 35(2), 5-6. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/aboutacrl/directoryofleadership/sections/cls/clswebsite/newsletters/cls_fall2019.pdf

Presentations:

  • Cottrell, L. & Tomsu, L. “Unexpected Bridges: Connecting academia, a public library, and…a daycare?” –ILA Annual Conference (October 2025)

  • Calendo, K., Dellegrazie, E., & Cottrell, L. “Create Your Textbook to Fit Your Mission” – CUC Webinar (May 2024)

  • Calendo, K., Dellegrazie, E., & Cottrell, L. “Open Pedagogy’s Impact on Student Success” – ACCA Symposium (November 2023)

  • Cottrell, L. “Power of OERS: Think Outside the Box” –CUC Webinar (October 2023)