ULS Outstanding Professional Development Award

Established in 2015, this award is intended to recognize librarians, archivists or curators whose contributions to providing professional development opportunities for librarians have been especially noteworthy or influential. The effect of these contributions may be the result of continuous or distinguished service to the profession, but may also be the result of extraordinarily active, innovative or collaborative work that deserves national recognition.

Award

$1,000 cash plus a certificate for the award winner, sponsored by Library Juice Academy.

Eligibility

Any individual who holds, or has recently held an appointment as a librarian, archivist or curator at a public, academic or national library, archive or museum. Award winners must be members of ACRL and ULS, or join ACRL and ULS upon receiving the award.

Criteria

At least two of the following four criteria need to be met:

  • Implementing innovative or creative professional development ideas or activities that have measurably impacted library users and / or the profession.
  • Active participation in special projects, efforts or initiatives related to providing professional development opportunities that have measurably impacted library users and / or the profession.
  • Evidence of service and/or collaboration over time related to providing professional development activities that clearly benefited a number of library professionals and library users.
  • Exemplary and influential research and/or scholarship pertaining to professional development for librarians.

Submissions

All nominations should be accompanied by a completed nomination form. Completed forms should be emailed to Rebecca Blakiston, University of Arizona Libraries, E-mail: blakisto@email.arizona.edu.

Supporting documents to accompany the nomination form include:

  • A full and clear description in two (2) pages or less of the nominee(s)’ work as it pertains to the development and provision of high quality continuing education opportunities for librarians
  • One (1) letter of support from a beneficiary (may be a library professional or a library user) of the professional development opportunities detailing how the professional development has benefited the library profession
  • If applicable, a list of publications or research conducted by the candidate(s), with an explanation of how the research pertains to providing high quality professional development activities for librarians.
  • If possible, please submit a high resolution photo of the nominee (at least 300 dpi). The photo will be used to make the official winner announcement immediately after the ALA Midwinter Meeting.

View the full awards committee roster here.

Submission Deadline: December 4, 2015