All libraries are good, some are great. We’re looking for role-model libraries to vie for the honor of being the 2019 Library Journal/Gale Library of the Year. The $10,000 prize celebrates the library that most profoundly demonstrates: service to the community; creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs or a dramatic increase in library usage; and leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by other libraries.

Along with the cash award, the winner will be featured as a cover story in the June issue of Library Journal and honored with a gala reception at the American Library Association Annual Conference. Past winners have gained immeasurable prestige within their community and national media attention, often resulting in improved relations with local politicians and increased budgets. It is an honor that resonates for a lifetime.

Is Your Library the Next Library of the Year?

All libraries are good, some are great. LJ is looking for role-model libraries to vie for the honor of being the 2019 Library Journal/Gale Cengage Learning Library of the Year. The $10,000 prize celebrates the library that most profoundly demonstrates the following:

  1. Service to the community.
  2. Creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs or a dramatic increase in library usage.
  3. Leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by other libraries.

Along with the cash award, the winner is featured in an LJ cover story in June and honored with a gala reception at the American Library Association Annual Conference. Past winners have gained prestige within their community and national media attention, often resulting in improved relations with local politicians and increased budgets.

Submission Requirements:

A library may be nominated by itself or by a community member. Each entry must include:

  1. Nominee name, address, and phone number, plus the name of the contact person and the submitter’s contact information if different from the nominee.
  2. A written explanation that clearly enumerating how the nominated library’s accomplishments fit the award criteria. We encourage the inclusion of images and graphics to help you tell your library’s story, but this document should not exceed the equivalent of 12 pages total. The judges will not be required to read beyond the 12 page limit. Past entries describing programs and their effects on the community were especially helpful to the LJ and outside judges.
  3. Statistical data: include population served; total annual budget; per capita budget; circulation; percent of the budget spent on materials; visits; e-use (in-house and remote if available); number of staff; percentage of staff who are professional librarians; and any other measure you use to demonstrate your library’s value to community, impacts, or outcomes. If you do not have all of these statistics, then submit at least the first six. The judges do not make selections based on numbers, though they are helpful in giving context to the written submission.
  4. Eligibility: Any library in the United States or Canada can apply. Libraries that have previously won the award will not be eligible until five years after winning. (For example: the 2015 winner will not be eligible until the 2021 award year.)

 

Show the world that your library is the best. Please submit nominations and supporting materials by following this link. Good luck!


NOMINATION DEADLINE: March 11, 2019

If you have any questions regarding the submission process, please contact Rebecca T. Miller at [email protected]

 

Past Winners:
2018 – San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco, CA
2017 – Nashville Public Library, Nashville, TN
2016 – Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, KS
2015 – Ferguson Municipal Public Library, MO
2014 – Edmonton Public Library, Alberta, Canada
2013 – Howard County Library System, MD
2012 – San Diego County Library, CA
2011 – King County Library System, WA
2010 – Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
2009 – Queens Library, NY
2008 – Laramie County Library System, WY
2007 – Worthington Libraries, OH
2006 – Salt Lake City Public Library, UT
2005 – Fayetteville Public Library, AR
2004 – San Jose Public Library/San Jose State University Library, CA
2003 – Las Vegas Clark County Library District, NV
2002 – Kalamazoo Public Library, MI
2001 – Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC
2000 – Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA
1999 – The Valley Library, Oregon State University, Corvallis
1998 – Medina County District Library, OH
1997 – Ann Arbor District Library, MI
1996 – Broward County Library, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1995 – Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC
1994 – Brown County Library, Green Bay, WI