Miles Dietz-Castel has been named the 2025 recipient of the Arthur Benton University Librarian’s Award for Excellence in recognition. Dietz-Castel’s nominators highlighted his unwavering dedication, exceptional professionalism, and positive impact on the community served by the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM), which is the regional medical library for Region 6, located at Hardin Library for the Health Sciences at the University of Iowa.
Dietz-Castel has served as communication specialist at NNLM Region 6 since May 2019 and oversees marketing and media. He also serves on the NNLM Communications Working Group and has volunteered to take on network-wide promotions, representing not only Region 6 but all seven RMLs around the country. Dietz-Castel began his time at the NNLM as an office manager in January 2018, which evolved into serving as office coordinator. The NNLM advances the progress of medicine and improve public health through access to health information by collaborating, training, and funding health centers, health departments, community organizations, as well as medical, public, and school libraries in a seven-state region.
“Miles is adaptable and collaborative and his wide-ranging skills strengthen projects across the NNLM and community and we appreciate his work,” says John Culshaw, Jack B. King University Librarian at the University of Iowa. “His nominators also consistently highlighted not only his flexibility and willingness to learn, but also the supportive, encouraging environment he creates for
colleagues working both in person and remotely.”
One of his nominators, Jacqueline Leskovec, network specialist at NNLM Region 6, says Dietz-Castel stands out for his collaboration.
“It is evident that Miles has been an incredible asset to our office,” says Leskovec. “I have seen him grow in his positions, taking on more responsibilities and stepping up when needed. He is resourceful, creative, competent, kind, and fun to work with.”
Another one of Dietz-Caster’s nominators, Bobbi Newman, is an associate professor of practice in the UI School of Library and Information Science and former community engagement and outreach manager at NNLM Region 6. She says she’s witnessed Dietz-Castel’s commitment to excellence in everything he undertakes.
“Miles consistently goes above and beyond his assigned responsibilities, demonstrating both a keen eye for detail and a genuine passion for producing high-quality work that exceeds expectations,” says Newman. She adds a prime example of Castel-Dietz’s exceptional contributions was his work on the 2023 National Health Misinformation Symposium. He took ownership of creating graphics, developing promotional materials, and providing technical support that were essential to the symposium’s success.
“His ability to translate complex health information into visually compelling and accessible materials demonstrated not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of our educational mission,” says Newman. “The quality of his work consistently impressed our team and set a standard that has been adopted across our entire network.”
“Miles takes the time to ensure that his work is of the highest quality, and in turn he ups the quality of the rest of the work the office produces as well,” says Nora Barnett, health professions outreach coordinator at NNLM Region 6. “Whether I am developing a webinar and have an idea of a promotional graphic, or I am working on a poster to raise awareness of our continuing education offerings, I know involving Miles will transform whatever I start to create into a polished and professional deliverable.”
Dietz-Castel was formally acknowledged as the recipient of the Benton Award during a staff recognition event in March 2026.
The Arthur Benton University Librarian’s Award for Excellence is awarded each year to a member of the Libraries’ professional staff who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership in furthering its mission to serve the university community. In addition to formal recognition, the award includes a grant of $2,000 for professional development that will support Butler’s research projects or publications related to library services.
The late Dr. Arthur Benton, professor of psychology and neurology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, established the endowment to make this annual award possible.