Library Awards
Below are several ALA, ILA and vendor awards given annually to libraries.
ALA Awards
Also check the following ALA Divisions:
AASL - American Association of School Libraries
ALCTS - Association for Library Collections and Technical Services
ALSC - Association of Library Services to Children
ALTA - American Library Trustees Association
ASCLA - Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
LAMA - Library Administration and Management Association
LITA - Library & Information Technology Association
PLA - Public Library Association
RUSA - Reference and User Services Association
YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Award
ALA Round Table Awards
EMIERT - Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table
ERT Scholarships - Exhibits Round Table
FAFLRT - Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table
GLBTBT - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round TableGODART- Government Documents Round Table
IFRT - Intellectual Freedom Round Table Awards
LHRT - Library History Round Table
LRRT - Library Research Round Table
Other Organization Sponsored Awards Back to top
Downs (Robert B.) Intellectual Freedom Award. Given annually, the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award acknowledges individuals or groups who have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom, particularly as it impacts libraries and information centers and the dissemination of ideas. Granted to those who have resisted censorship or efforts to abridge the freedom of individuals to read or view materials of their choice, the award may be in recognition of a particular action or long-term interest in, and dedication to, the cause of intellectual freedom. http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/about/awards/downs-award.html
Friends of Libraries USA. See the Web site for the various awards. http://www.folusa.org/resources/grants-awards.php
G. K. Hall Large Print Community Service Award. A $1,000 check will be awarded to two libraries demonstrating the most comprehensive and creative effort in promoting the awareness, availability and use of large print books. One library will be selected from towns with populations over 25,000 and one library will be selected from towns with populations under 25,000. Two runners-up will receive $500 worth of Thorndike and G. K. Hall large print books. Third prize winner will receive $150 worth of books. Applications are due each year in March. For application and guidelines, contact: Delores McPeck 800-223-1244 x213, Thorndike Press, P.O. Box 159, Thorndike, ME 04986.
Humanities Iowa Awards. Annual Distinguished Service to the Public Humanities recognizes an individual, organization, or institution demonstrating exemplary vision, creativity, or support for public humanities programs on the local, regional, or state level during the prior year. $1,000 to be used in support of a public humanities program of recipient's choice.
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Annual Lifetime Service to the Public Humanities recognizes an individual who, through a life's work, has made an outstanding contribution to public understanding of the humanities. $1,000 to be used in support of a public humanities program of recipient's choice.
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Outstanding Project in the Public Humanities - chosen from grant projects funded by Humanities Iowa during the prior calendar year. http://www.humanitiesiowa.org
International Reading Association. The association provides several awards for literacy research and projects. Contact: International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Road, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, Delaware 19714-8139. (302) 731-1600, ext. 226. Fax: (302) 731-1057. gkeating@reading.org http://www.reading.org
Library Journal Award, Best Small Library in America. In partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this award was founded to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of small libraries. The award honors the public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less. Libraries are judged on these key factors: creativity in developing services and programs that can be replicated by other libraries; innovation in introducing and supporting public access computing, educating patrons in its use, and measuring the impact of technology usage; use of technology to expand the reach of library services; demonstrated community support; success in developing cooperation with other libraries, and partnerships with other agencies and businesses; significant increase in library use, particularly by new users; and evidence of the library's role as community center. The winning library will receive a $10,000 cash award, a feature story in Library Journal, membership and conference costs for two library representatives to attend the Public Library Association Biannual Conference. The nomination deadline is in the fall. Contact: Rebecca T. Miller, Executive Editor, Features & Web, Library Journal, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10010, 646-746-6725 miller@reedbusiness.com http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA606273.html
www.libraryjournal.com
Library Technology Award. A cash prize of $1,500 and recognition at the National Online Meeting will go to a librarian who develops an information system that made it easier for patrons to do their research. Due date, early March. Librarians may nominate colleagues or themselves by writing a 1-2 page essay summarizing the candidate's information technology innovations for an academic, public, or K-12 library. The essays are judged by previous year's winner. Contact: Library Technology Award, UMI, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346.
Literacy Leader Fellowships. National Institute of Literacy. Provides an annual award to fund innovative, creative individuals who carry out projects that benefit the national adult literacy field. Contact: Jennifer Cromley (202) 233-2053, Email: jennifer_cromley@nifl.gov Fellowship Program Officer , National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, N.W., Suite 730 Washington, DC 20006-2401. http://www.nifl.gov/activities/fllwhome.htm 3/00
Medical Library Association. Contact: Beth Ruddy (312) 419-9094 x 28, Professional Development Department, Medical Library Association, 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago IL 60602. e-mail mlapd@mlahq.org http://www.mlanet.org
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EBSCO/MLA annual meeting grant. Assists qualified students in graduate library science programs and enables practicing health sciences librarians to attend the MLA annual meeting.
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Research, development and demonstration project grant. Provides support for research, development, or demonstration projects that will help to promote excellence in the field of health sciences librarianship and information sciences. Grants range from $100 to $1,000. Deadline: December.
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Continuing education awards. MLA members may submit applications for awards of $100-$500 to develop their knowledge of the theoretical, administrative, or technical aspects of librarianship.
Merritt, Leroy C. Humanitarian Fund Award. This fund was established in 1970 to provide direct financial aid for the support, maintenance, medical care, and welfare of librarians who are or have been threatened with loss of employment or discharge because of their stand for the cause of intellectual freedom. The scope has broadened to include librarians who have been discriminated against on the basis of physical handicap, sex, sexual preference, race, color, creed, age, or place of national origin. The award amount varies. Contact: Leroy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund (312) 944-67880 ext. 4226, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. http://www.merrittfund.org
Mora, Estela and Raul Award. REFORMA, National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. Winner receives $500 plus plaque awarded annually to the school or library that sponsored an exemplary program celebrating El Dia de Los Ninos/Dia de Los Libraos (April 30). http://www.reforma.org/
New York Times Librarian Award. The Times Librarian Award recognizes those librarians whose exemplary performance and outstanding community service have made their libraries friendlier and more accessible institutions. Eligible nominees include any librarian currently working in a public library in the United States. Nominators are encouraged to nominate librarians who consistently demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, knowledge and public service in the execution of their duties. Winners will be announced in The Times in December and will each receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. To nominate a librarian at a public library download the form. Entries due in the fall of each year.
Contact: The New York Times 2004 Librarian Awards, 223 West 43rd Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10036 libraryawards@nytimes.com. http://www.nytco.com/community/ 01/07
OCLC Library and Information Sciences Research Grants. Faculty in schools of library and information science are eligible. OCLC encourages collaborative projects. OCLC promotes independent research that helps librarians integrate new technologies. http://www.oclc.org/research/grants/ 01/07
Public Library Association Awards. See ALA - Advancement of literacy award, Allie Beth Martin, Baker & Taylor entertainment cd-rom, Robinson, Charlie, Demco creative merchandising, Excellence in small and/or rural public library, Highsmith library innovation, Wetheimer, Leonard, New leaders travel grant, NTC career materials resource grants. Nominations for PLA grants are due in December. Applicants do not have to be member of PLA or ALA. Contact: PLA (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. www.pla.org
Special Libraries Association Research Grant. SLA offers grants for research projects for the advancement of library sciences, the support of programs developed by SLA Chapters, Divisions, or Committees, and the support of the Association's expanding international agenda. http://www.sla.org/content/learn/scholarship/index.cfm
Vance Associates Library Outreach Award. Vance Associates and the Iowa Library Association award $250 to recognize the most innovative and successful public library service and marketing project from applicants each year. Preference will be given to public libraries in communities with a population of less than 25,000. Winners will be announced at the Iowa Library Association annual conference. Application forms are available from the Iowa Library Association Foundation, 3636 Westown Pkwy, Suite 202, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
Iowa Library Association
ILA AWARDS, Youth Services Subdivision. Awards are given each year for children and young people programs. The contact is the chair of the Youth Services Subdivision. For the current chair contact Laurie Hews, Executive Director, 515-273-5322; e-mail: executivedirector@iowalibraryassociation.org
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