CHICAGO - The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association, has introduced a new Online Awards Application for its seven service awards.
The PLA awards are designed to highlight the best in public library service and to honor those providing public library service whose vision and accomplishments are extraordinary and deserve recognition by their peers. The awards include:
Advancement of Literacy Award
Honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware and/or software dealer, foundation or similar group (i.e. not an individual) that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy
Allie Beth Martin Award
Honors a librarian who, in a public library setting, has demonstrated extraordinary range and depth of knowledge about books or other library materials and has distinguished ability to share that knowledge
Baker & Taylor Entertainment Audio Music/Video Product Award
Honors a librarian who promotes the development of a circulating Audio Music/Video collection in a public library
Charlie Robinson Award
Honors a public library director who, over a period of seven years, has been a risk taker, an innovator and/or a change agent in a public library
Demco New Leaders Travel Grant
Honors a librarian who serves to enhance the professional development of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities
EBSCO Excellence in Small and/or Rural Library Service Award
Honors a public library serving a population of 10,000 or less that demonstrates excellence of service to its community
Highsmith Library Innovation Award
Recognizes a library's innovative and creative service program to the community
An award jury appointed by the PLA president will review each nomination. The deadline for submitting an application is December 1, 2006.
The award juries will review the applications and select a recipient at the ALA 2007 Midwinter Meeting. Award winners will be announced in February 2007, and each award will be presented at the PLA President's Reception and Awards Presentation held during the ALA Annual Conference.
For more information, contact the PLA office, 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA or by email pla@ala.org. To apply or nominate a colleague for an award, visit PLA's web site at www.pla.org.
