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Zora Neale Hurston Award: RUSA seeks librarians demonstrating leadership in promoting African American literature

Do you know someone(s) who should be recognized for their work in promoting African American literature? Could it be you? We encourage you to submit a nomination for the 2013 Zora Neale Hurston Award. The deadline for all nominations is Dec. 15, 2012.

The Zora Neale Hurston Award recognizes any ALA member who has demonstrated leadership in promoting African American literature. The winner receives funds to attend the ALA Annual Conference, tickets to the FOLUSA Author tea, and a set of the Zora Neale Hurston books published by Harper Perennial at the time the award is made.

Recent past winners include:
2012  Vanessa Irvin Morris, Assistant Teaching Professor, Drexel University

2011  Theresa Venable, Librarian for Children’s Defense Fund Haley Farm’s Langston Hughes Library
Venable was chosen for her work in library programming designed to promote African American authors and African American illustrators of children’s picture books.  Examples of Venable’s programming include directing the 2009 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture sponsored by the Association of Library Service to Children and coordinating the 2010 Big Read Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.

2010  Anthony Loum, Coordinator of Adult Library Services, Brooklyn Public Library
For his work planning and ensuring the quality of programs delivered by the Brooklyn Public Library in the 2009 Big Read for which Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God” was the chosen book.

2009  Miriam Rodriguez, Assistant Director, Public Services, Community Integration of the Dallas Public Library

Don’t delay! You can download the nomination form (PDF) here.

Questions? Contact Jannie R. Cobb, Zora Neale Hurston Award Committee Chair at jcobb@nlc.edu.

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Virginia Boucher Award: Recognize a distinguished interlibrary loan librarian

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) is seeking nominations for the annual Virginia Boucher Award, sponsored by OCLC.

This award recognizes a librarian for outstanding professional achievement, leadership, and contributions to interlibrary loan and document delivery.  The award consists of $2,000 plus a citation.

Nominations must be received by December 15, 2012.  Self-nominations are welcome! You can download the nomination form (PDF) here.  A complete application will include this form; a resume detailing the nominee’s career and outstanding contributions to the field; and a letter of recommendation. For complete information about the criteria for this award, please visit the award page.

Questions and nominations can be directed to Megan Gaffney, 2012-2013 Boucher Award Committee Chair, at gaffneym@udel.edu.

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Submit now for 2013 John Sessions Award honoring libraries serving labor community

Consider submitting a nomination today for the John Sessions Memorial Award–an annual award presented by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA). The nomination period for the 2013 award is open through Dec. 15, 2012.

The John Sessions Memorial Award recognizes a library or library system that has made a significant effort to work with the labor community and by doing so has brought recognition to the history and contribution of the labor movement to the development of the United States. Such efforts may include outreach projects to local labor unions; establishment of, or significant expansion of, special labor collections; initiation of programs of special interest to the labor community; or other library activities that serve the labor community.

Last year’s winner, the Labor Archives and Research Center at San Francisco State University, was recognized for its notable contributions to the field of Labor Studies including the book “San Francisco Labor Landmarks Guide Book”; several online exhibits, including one entitled “Look for the Union Label: A Celebration of Union Logos and Emblems”; and a 25th anniversary celebration that included the program “Sympathetic”, which honored the experience of those who witnessed and participated in the funeral march for two workers killed during the 1934 Pacific Maritime Strike.

The award committee selected the Center for its efforts to educate the community on the accomplishments of labor through its public programs, publications, exhibitions, and oral history project.  These resources and the Center’s outreach efforts illustrate their commitment to preserving and highlighting the history of labor.

The 2013 award will presented at the RUSA Awards Reception during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, IL, June 27- July 2, 2013.  To nominate a library or organization, download and complete the nomination form (PDF format), and follow the submission instructions therein.

Questions should be directed to the committee chair, Susan Hurst, hurstsj@miamiOH.edu, 513-529-4144.

 

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Aspiring business librarians wanted for conference travel grant: RUSA’s BRASS Gale Cengage Learning Student Travel Award

Are you an aspiring business librarian or do you know someone who is?

The BRASS Gale Cengage Learning Student Travel Award is a $1000 cash award given to a student enrolled in an ALA accredited master’s degree program to fund travel to and attendance at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois and a one-year membership in the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) of RUSA.  Applicants should have demonstrated interest in a career as a business reference librarian, and a potential to be a leader in the profession as demonstrated by activities that may include (but are not limited to) coursework, internships, jobs, special projects, and publications.

Applications for the 2013 Gale Cengage Learning Student Travel are being accepted until January 31, 2013. You can download the nomination form here.

Please send the complete nomination packet in electronic format to the Committee Chair, Todd Hines at thines@princeton.edu, with the subject line: 2013 BRASS Gale Cengage Learning Student Travel Award.