Nominations Open for the I Love My Librarian! Award

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By Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 9/14/2009 2:05:00 PM

Know a librarian whose work has improved the lives of people in their communities? The New York Times, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the American Library Association (ALA) are encouraging the nominations of public, school, college, and academic librarians for the I Love My Librarian! Award.  

The public can nominate a librarian online until October 9, and each will be judged by a selection committee based on their quality of service to library users, demonstrated knowledge of the library and its resources, and a commitment to helping library users.

Nominees must have a master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program in library and information studies or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees also must work in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or at an accredited K–12 school in the United States.

This marks the second year that media specialists are eligible for the award. Of the 10 winners selected in 2008, three were school librarians and one was a youth services librarian. These winners, who hailed from Alabama, California, Michigan, and New York, were selected from over 3,200 nominations.

The awards will be presented on December 3 at the New York Times headquarters in New York City. Winners will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque, and a $500 travel stipend to attend the awards ceremony.