If you have ever been touched by the quiet diligence of a librarian, now's the moment to sing their praises as nominations are now open for the "I Love My Librarian" Award, recognizing those exceptional guardians and guiders of our stacked communal brain spaces – the libraries. According to an announcement from the American Library Association, the nomination period, kicking off across the US looks to honor librarians from public libraries to university halls for their community-shaping endeavors, and will run through September 30.
Ten librarians will ultimately be celebrated with $5,000 each, honored at the ALA's LibLearnX Conference in January 2025, positioning themselves not simply as keepers of books, but as architects of community.
Nominees must be equipped with the proper credentials, a master’s degree in library and information studies from an ALA-accredited program or a comparable specialty degree, and they should be employed at a qualifying institution as of March 1, ensuring that professionals at the helm are recognized for their educational and communitarian investment. For those looking to nominate, extra guidance is available at the award's website.
This opportunity to acknowledge the unsung librarians is backed by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, joining forces with the New York Public Library for additional support, the American Library Association administers the award, serving as a beacon for resource provision and professional inspiration to those navigating the intricate labyrinths of our nation's libraries. Whether it’s the librarian who first handed you a novel that opened new worlds or one who organized a program that addressed a pressing social issue, now’s your turn to give recognition where it’s profoundly due.
