Professor Nancy Patricia O'Brien, born in Galesburg, Illinois, is Head of the Education and Social Science Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received an A.B. degree in 1976, and an M.S. degree in 1977 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Professor O'Brien has held a succession of positions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as serials bibliographer, 1977—78; social science bibliographer, 1979—81; education subject specialist at university libraries, 1981—; head of Education and Social Science Library, 1994—; coordinator of Social Sciences Division, 1996-2003; visiting instructor, 1977—78; assistant professor, 1978—84; associate professor, 1984—91; professor of library administration, 1991—; Center for Children's Books, member of advisory board, 1992—97; National Library of Education, chair of executive committee for National Education Network, 1998—2002. She is a member of American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries (chair of education and behavioral sciences section, 1988—89, 1994—95), Library Administration and Management Association, Association for Library Collections and Technical Services, American Educational Research Association, History of Education Society, Textbook Colloquium. She received the Whitney-Carnegie grant, American Library Association, 1990—91; and was named distinguished education and behavioral sciences librarian, education and behavioral sciences section, Association of College and Research Libraries, 1997. Source: [Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/obrien-nancy-patricia-1955)