Patricia Polansky, the University of Hawaii at Manoa's most long-standing librarian, was recently honored for her over 50 years of service at the Hamilton Library. According to Hawaii News Now, Polansky was presented with the Nina D.P. Horio Award for Excellence in Librarianship, known for highlighting significant contributions to the library and the community it supports. Her tenure spans more than half a century, during which she has become a prominent Russian bibliographer, building a globally esteemed collection on Russia's roles in Hawaii.
Details surrounding the award ceremony were shared by University of Hawaii News, indicating that the honor took place on August 13 at Hamilton Library. "She is undeniably a most deserving recipient of this award," Monica Ghosh, chair of the Asia Collection and South Asia Studies librarian, said in a statement obtained by the university's news outlet. Reflecting on Polansky's contributions, Clem Guthro, University Librarian, stated, "She has, without a doubt, influenced scores of Russian studies students, faculty and scholars from around the world."
Beyond her work as a librarian, Polansky is renowned for her expertise on the Asian aspect of Russia, including the influence of Russia in Hawai'i. Her dedication to the Russia Collection at the library has been significant, with her colleague Amir Khisamutdinov, a historian at Far Eastern State University, calling the collection "priceless" in an interview with University of Hawaii News. Polansky herself has expressed, "Our strength, I feel, has always been Russia in Asia and the Pacific – we focus on that,” as mentioned on University of Hawaii News.
Despite the many accomplishments and the definitive recognition of her work, Polansky maintains that she has no intentions of retiring anytime soon, leaving a lasting legacy similar to that of Nina Horio, the award's namesake, and first recipient. Horio is credited with establishing a separate faculty classification for UH librarians, an important step for the profession. Polansky, one of the co-founders of the award, told University of Hawaii News, "That has been her lasting legacy." The award itself has been presented only seven times in its 32-year history, the last being in 2021, marking its rare and prestigious nature.
