(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University)
As important as the library itself is, the staff of libraries play an equally important role in the communities they serve. By providing educational resources, hosting community events, and creating a safe and welcoming space for all, library staff are essential to the success of local libraries.
This is why we encourage you to nominate at least one person from your library for an ILA award this year. Staff members who are nominated for awards have made a difference within their library among their colleagues, within their community among their patrons, and within their profession among their peers.
Think about nominating someone you work with, someone you worked with in the past, your manager, your library’s director, a friend, a mentor, a mentee, or anyone who you feel is worthy of an award. Can’t think of anyone to nominate? Self-nominations are encouraged!
Visit the ILA website to view the list of awards, which include the Crosman Memorial Award for New Library Workers, the Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year Award, the Librarian of the Year Award, the Robert R. McClarren Legislative Development Award, the Young Adult Library Professional of the Year Award, and the Youth Services Achievement Award, and nominate someone.
If you submitted a nomination in 2021 or 2022, please contact Tamara Jenkins at tjenkins@ila.org to find out how to resubmit for this year.
If you have any questions about the awards, please contact Tamara Jenkins. The deadline for all award nominations is Monday, May 15.