The J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library serves the teaching, learning, and research needs of Loyola University New Orleans, and has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for its excellence in this service.

Monroe Library faculty and staff are involved in local, regional, and national professional and scholarly activities. To learn about an individual's scholarly activities, please visit our faculty and staff directory and click on an individual's profile for more information.

2010 The Princeton Review

The Monroe Library earned fifth place in The Princeton Review’s “2010 Best 371 Colleges.” The library, which took seventh place in 2009, shares a top-five ranking with Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and Duke Universities for best college library. “The Monroe Library’s continued ranking among the top 10 college libraries in the country is a testimony to the excellence of its faculty and staff who are committed to customer service and providing the most up-to-date technology and resources to its users,” said Mary Lee Sweat, dean of libraries. The Princeton Review is available online at http://www.PrincetonReview.com.

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 The Princeton Review

The Monroe Library has ranked among the top 10 college libraries in the country since 2006. “Having the Monroe Library recognized for its technological capabilities, outstanding ‘student-first’ service approach, and its reach to resources across the globe is fantastic,” said Lori Zawistowski, former interim dean of admissions and enrollment management. “On a larger scale, knowing the library serves the New Orleans community through efforts like the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy shows support for Loyola’s overriding commitment to our mission of social justice in everything we do.” .

2006, Choice Magazine

The Monroe Library was selected to be on the cover of the June issue of Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. Choice is "the premier source for reviews of academic books, electronic media, and Internet resources of interest to those in higher education."

2004, H.W. Wilson Award for Professional Development

The Monroe Library was awarded the 2004 H.W. Wilson Award for Professional Development for its program "Support for Organizational-Level Development." The $3500 award supported a three-part development workshop focusing on time management, conflict resolution, and giving and receiving feedback. The Monroe Library was recognized for proactively seeking solutions that will position its employees to maintain flexibility, creativity, and innovation as they continue to enhance the educational experience for Loyola students and faculty.

2003, ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award

Sponsored by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and Blackwell's Book Services, this award recognizes the staff and faculty of a university library for programs that deliver exemplary services and resources to further the educational mission of the institution. "Receiving an Excellence in Academic Libraries Award is a national tribute to a library and its staff for the outstanding services, programs, and leadership they provide to their students, administrators, faculty, and community," said Mary Ellen Davis, ACRL executive director.

2000, People's Choice! Architectural Award

In January of 2000 the Monroe Library won the People's Choice! Award, sponsored by The Gambit Weekly and the American Institute of Architects New Orleans chapter. Gambit readers were given a chance to vote for their favorite new New Orleans building from among four entries. The Monroe Library was selected in a landslide victory.