Gale Cengage Learning Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services
Established in 1990, the Gale Cengage Learning Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services is a citation and $3,000 cash award presented to a library or library system for developing an imaginative and unique resource to meet patrons' reference needs. The resource can be a bibliography, a guide to the literature of a specific subject, a directory, a database, or any other project that has helped the library meet adult or children's reference needs. Tools, guides or databases that have been developed for reader's advisory or adult service questions and needs are also eligible for the award.
Nominations
Nomination materials should be submitted to the award committee chair. Self-nominations are accepted. The materials should include a letter of nomination stating in detail how the resource has contributed to meeting patrons' reference needs.
In particular, the letter should include:
- A description of the resource and its format, e.g., card file, database, etc.
- A list of sources used to compile the resource.
- The target audience for the resource
- Criteria used in selecting material for inclusion. (If the resource is inclusive, please state so clearly.)
- The breadth of coverage, i.e. time and subject, of the resource.
- An explanation of what makes the resource imaginative or unique.
A sample of the resource (or entry, pages, printout, etc.) must accompany the nomination.
Questions about the award or the nomination process should be directed to the committee chair via phone or e-mail. The deadline for nominations is December 15.
Recipients
|
2007 |
Springfield-Greene County Library, Springfield (Mo.) |
|
2006 |
Orange County Library System, Orlando (Fla.) |
|
2005 |
Smithsonian American Art Museum |
|
2004 |
North Carolina State University Libraries |
|
2003 |
Richmond (British Columbia) Public Library |
|
2002 |
No recipient chosen this year |
|
2001 |
University Library, University of Nebraska at Omaha |
|
2000 |
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Library |
|
1999 |
New Orleans Public Library |
|
1998 |
Queens Borough Public Library |
|
1997 |
Bay Area Library and Information System for "Jobsmart" |
|
1996 |
Rochester (MI) Hills Public Library for their homepage on the Web |
|
1995 |
Pikes Peak Library District for "Arts Database" |
|
1994 |
Wichita Public Library for "The Legal Connection" |
|
1993 |
Kalamazoo Public Library, Michigan, for its "Online Community Information Database" |
|
1992 |
Morton Grove Public Library, Morton Grove, Illinois, for ORRIS (On-Line Ready Reference System) |
|
1991 |
University of Arkansas Library, Fayetteville, for its "Arkansas Periodical Index" |