The deadline for nominations is Monday, January 25, 2010.
It’s time to think about the outstanding achievements of our colleagues and give them the recognition they deserve with MLA Awards and Honors. Following is the vital information you need for nominations:
Three letters are required for every nomination: 1 (one) letter of nomination and 2 (two) letters in support of the nomination. Hard copies and/or email attachments are fine. For the Media Award, a copy of the nominated project must also be submitted.
All nomination materials are sent to:
Molly Ledermann, Chair
MLA Awards & Honors Committee
Missoula Public Library
301 E Main ST
Missoula, MT 59802
mkliss@missoula.lib.mt.us
(406)728-5900 (fax)
The deadline for nominations is Monday, January 25, 2010.
Honorary MLA Life-Time Membership
May be conferred upon an individual who has either made an outstanding contribution to librarianship or has rendered outstanding service to library interests. To be eligible, an individual shall have made a contribution of lasting importance to the field of librarianship. The contribution must be outstanding enough that there can be no question of his/her suitability. Only living persons may be considered.
Library of the Year
Conferred upon any type of Montana library, library system or network for distinguished achievement in service. The staff, library board or administering body, and the community or people served shall be involved in the work for which recognition is sought. Award shall be based upon but not limited to activities or accomplishments such as the following:
• User services
• Development of innovative partnerships through networks, systems, cooperative
planning and programming
• Sound collection development policies
• Offering opportunities for professional growth and job satisfaction of all
employees
• Improvement of physical facilities resulting in better services
Sheila Cates Award for Librarian of the Year
Conferred upon a librarian in recognition of outstanding leadership and accomplishment in library service. The librarian must be currently employed in any field of librarianship in Montana and must be a current member of the Montana Library Association. Award shall be based upon, but not limited to, activities or accomplishments such as the following:
• Provision of high-quality, community-centered library services
• Contribution to any area of service benefiting users
• Distinguished service to the profession, including outstanding participation in
activities of professional library associations and/or notable publications
• Leadership in education and in-service training for librarians
• Leadership in cooperative activities
• Outstanding development of library techniques, management, and/or facilities
Trustee of the Year
Conferred upon a Montana public library trustee in recognition of outstanding achievement and leadership. Nominations may be made by any library board, individual library, librarian, trustee, MLA member or Montana State Library Commission. Equal consideration shall be given to trustees of small and large libraries. The award shall be based upon, but not limited to, activities and accomplishments such as the following:
• Service to the local library and participation in state and national activities
• Constructive accomplishments in promoting library service shall be considered rather than the length of service as a trustee
• Interest in and contribution to the development of library services beyond those of the local community
• Achievements of nominees are judged according to criteria found in the Montana Public Library Trustee Manual.
School Administrator of the Year Award
Conferred upon a Montana school administrator in recognition of outstanding achievement and leadership in the development and promotion of school libraries. Nominations for this award should come from the librarian currently employed by the school district of the nominee. The awards shall be based upon, but not limited to, activities or accomplishments such as the following:
• Constructive accomplishment towards the advancement of library service to the students and teachers of the school
• Development of sound school library practices
• Creative and effective work in interpreting the library to the school board, school administration, teaching staff, students, and community
• Fostering cooperative relations with other libraries in the area
• Implementation of programs to address special needs or problems
• Defense of intellectual freedom
• Promoting and supporting the employment of professional librarians in school
Special Friend to Libraries Award
Purpose of the award is to recognize individuals or groups who have rendered outstanding service in support of library interests within Montana. The award is conferred simply as a reward for a job well done. Nominations are accepted from members of the Montana library Association only. Award need not be based solely on service rendered during the previous year, but may be based on cumulative years of service.
Pat Williams Intellectual Freedom Award
Conferred upon an individual or group who has made significant contributions during the past year to the enhancement of First Amendment rights. The recipient should have demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles, nature, responsibilities and implications of the First Amendment, The recipient should be a Montanan or a non-Montanan whose contribution has a demonstrable effect on Montana. The recipient should have applied that understanding of the principles in one or more the following ways:
• In defense of the principles in the face of a serious challenge to it which defense is not necessarily limited to libraries,
• In support of the principles through an active role in Formulating programs which develop people’s ability to deal with a full range of opinion/controversy and with the issues associated with such controversy,
or
• Developing or materially assisting in the development, of a legal base for the continued enjoyment of freedom of mind, its strengthening, and its defense, or
• Expanding the philosophical foundation of the principle or contributing to better understanding of it.
Interest Group Excellence Award
Conferred upon an individual member of an MLA interest group or upon an interest group as a whole, for meritorious service on behalf of Montana libraries and/ or librarians. Award shall be based upon, but not limited to, activities or accomplishments such as the following:
• Comprehensive projects which benefit the larger library community
• Exemplary programs or outstanding services which are not available through other channels
• Extraordinary assistance to other libraries and/or librarians in Montana
Media Award
Conferred to honor a production for broadcast or work for publication which best underscores the value of libraries to community and society. This includes works prepared for television, radio, cable, film, and/or print media. News articles/ programs and documentaries also qualify. The broadcast or publication of the nominated work should be within the two years preceding the annual conference at which the award is to be made. A copy of the nominated work must be submitted to the Awards and Honors Committee for review.
Molly Ledermann, MLA Awards & Honors
Missoula Public Library, Reference Librarian