June 11, 2026 | Meagan Fazio

Professor Jessica de Perio Wittman Honored with American Association of Law Libraries Award

The UConn Law Library director was recognized for scholarship that explores how law libraries can evolve to better support students, faculty, and legal education.

Jessica de Perio Wittman stands in front of a bookshelf.

Professor Jessica de Perio Wittman, director of the Thomas J. Meskill Law Library, UConn Law

Professor Jessica de Perio Wittman, director of the Thomas J. Meskill Law Library and Cornelius J. Scanlon Scholar, has received the 2026 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award from the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The award honors works that demonstrate originality and make meaningful contributions to legal scholarship and law librarianship.

de Perio Wittman and co-editor Beth G. Adelman of the University at Buffalo School of Law were recognized for “Organizational Structures of Academic Law Libraries Past, Present, and Future (Volume 3).”  The book explores how academic law libraries are adapting to changes in higher education through 10 case studies from across the United States. It examines leadership models, reporting structures, budgeting, and innovation, showing how libraries balance independence with collaboration while responding to institutional and technological change.

“By bringing these models and insights together in one place, we aimed to create a practical resource for leaders shaping the future of law libraries,” de Perio Wittman says. “Academic law libraries are at their best when their structures align with the needs of our students, faculty, and the broader legal profession. I am deeply honored by this recognition and grateful to my co-editor, our contributors, and the UConn School of Law community for their support.”

de Perio Wittman’s scholarship has long focused on how law libraries adapt to a changing academic and technological landscape, including legal technology and accessibility. She has also held leadership roles within AALL and is a frequent presenter on the future of law librarianship.

“We’re thrilled and proud to see Jessica’s impactful work recognized at the national level,” says Dean Eboni S. Nelson. “She is an outstanding scholar, educator, and leader who has been instrumental in strengthening the Law Library as an intellectual hub for our community, while finding innovative ways to better support our students and faculty. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”