The Innovation and Advocacy in Library History Award
The Innovation and Advocacy in Library History Award is presented by the ALA Library History Round Table (LHRT) as a “best of year” achievement award that acknowledges individuals or organizations that have made recent, substantive contributions to LHRT or to the wider library history community. The intention of this non-monetary award is to recognize efforts that are ineligible for other LHRT prizes; thus, nominations which emphasize publication of articles, books, dissertations, or essays will not be considered.
Eligibility and Criteria
Nominations, including self-nominations, are welcomed from all interested parties but must pertain to activities taking place in the past two years. Nominations will be judged on the contributions’ quality, impact, and relevance to LHRT or the library history community. The LHRT is particularly interested in recognizing those who have promoted library history in exceptional or new ways or who have reached audiences that have not been engaged previously. Nominee membership in LHRT is encouraged but not required.
Submissions and Selection
Each nomination must include a brief statement thoroughly explaining the contribution or project and why the nominee is worthy of consideration. It must also include at least two (2) letters of support. Individual nominees must include a CV or resume, while organizational nominees must include a statement indicating the organization’s mission and other background information. Nominators of the same entity may be asked to collaborate to produce stronger applications and reduce duplicative effort. The selection of awardees will be made by an LHRT committee and will be announced in June 2025. Please submit nominations using this form by Friday, May 29, 2026. Contact Jennifer Bartlett, LHRT Chair, at jbartl22@utk.edu for more information.
The Distinguished Service in Library History Award
The Distinguished Service in Library History Award is presented annually by the ALA Library History Round Table (LHRT) and honors the career of a person who has a lifetime of scholarship and service in the field of library history. This non-monetary award is intended to be given to an individual who has a record of contributions; who demonstrates length, breadth, and depth of involvement in library history; and who has had a significant impact on the work of the ALA Library History Round Table or on the library history community at large.
Eligibility and Criteria
Criteria for the Award include the significance of contributions to library history, such as publications in the field, courses taught in library history, and service to the field through the LHRT or other groups. The intention of the Award is to recognize service; thus, nominations which emphasize research and publication and do not describe service or other activities pertaining to library history will not be considered. Personal membership in the LHRT is encouraged but is not required for an individual to be selected for the Award.
Submissions and Selection
Current LHRT members may submit a letter of nomination. The nomination must include the nominee’s curriculum vitae and at least two (2) letters of support. Nominators of the same individual may be asked to collaborate to produce stronger nominations and to reduce duplicate effort. The selection of the awardee will be made by an LHRT committee and will be announced in June 2025. Please submit nominations using this form by Friday, May 29, 2026. Contact Jennifer Bartlett, LHRT Chair, at jbartl22@utk.edu for more information.