Home  Award Sponsorship

Creating/Proposing a New PLA Award

PLA welcomes proposals for new awards from vendors, membership groups and others interested in recognizing excellence in public libraries and librarianship. If you have additional questions about the awards program, contact PLA Executive Director Greta Southard at 312-280-5PLA or gsouthar@ala.org

FAQ

What are the benefits to sponsorship of a PLA award?

As an award sponsor, your company or organization name will be heavily promoted as part of the PLA Award Program. Your products and services will be associated with the award and each year, you will have the opportunity to recognize the contributions of librarians and libraries throughout the nation.

Additionally, as an award sponsor, your organization automatically becomes a PLA Partner. There are four levels of PLA Partnership: Platinum Partners—$10,000+; Gold Partners—contributions of $5,000-$9,999; Silver Partners—contributions from $1,000-$4,999; and Bronze Partners—contributions up to $999. As a PLA Partner, you will be recognized in many ways including but not limited to:

• On multiple mailings to over 11,000 public librarians;
• Signage at all major PLA events, including those at ALA conferences;
• A link to your web page from ours, with a thank you on the PLA web page (Gold Partners only);
• Listing in advertisements thanking our partners in Public Libraries and American Libraries magazines;
• Partner star and badge ribbons for your exhibit booth and staff at ALA Midwinter and Annual Conference and at signage PLA produces for the ALA meetings;
• Thanks from the podium at major PLA events, whenever possible;
• Invitations to representatives of your company to PLA VIP reception and events throughout the year;
• Regular thanks in our electronic newsletter (sent about twice/month to over 9,000 PLA members).

How do I submit a proposal for a new award?

A list of proposal considerations follows. Your proposal should incorporate all items listed. Once you have considered all the criteria, you should contact the PLA Awards Committee chair to discuss your idea. Awards Committee Chair contact information is on the PLA web page. The Awards Committee Chair will help further develop your idea (if needed) and will review the proposal to be sure the idea does not conflict or compete with existing PLA awards, programs or goals. It is highly recommended that you review existing awards to be sure PLA does not already offer an award similar to the one you are considering. The list will also give you a good idea of the typical criteria used for award selection. A listing of PLA’s current awards can be found here.

Is there a cash/product minimum that must be awarded?

There are no set minimums.  Current PLA awards include a mix:  cash awards, cash and product awards, product-only awards, citations-only.  Current awards range from approximately $1,000 to $5,000.  For all awards, there will be an administrative fee of $500 assessed each year the award is presented, over and above the award amount itself.

What is the timeline for award development?

Once the PLA Awards Committee has reviewed your proposal and approves it, it will be forwarded to the PLA Board for their approval.  If the PLA Board approves the award, it will be included in the next awards cycle.  The deadline for applicants/nominations to all PLA awards is early December, and awards are presented at that summer’s ALA Annual Conference at the PLA Awards program.  It may take as long as a year, depending upon when you first contact the PLA Awards Committee Chair, for the award to be considered, approved, promoted, recipient(s) selected and awarded at the ALA Annual Conference.

SAMPLE PROPOSAL FORMAT:

Proposal to the PLA Board

for Creation of the  Name of   Award

Date Submitted:

Name and contact information of person submitting proposal:

1.  Name of Award: 

2.  Definition, Purpose and Criteria:  Specify the person(s) or group(s) eligible to receive the award, the purpose(s) for which the award will be given, and a brief outline of the criteria to be followed in selecting a winner.

3.  Number and Frequency of Award:  Designate the number of possible recipients at any one time and the frequency with which the award is to be presented. State that if a suitable candidate is not found, the award will not be presented that year.

4.  Selection of Jury to Administer the Award: The jury will consist of a Chair and  other members.  They will be appointed by the Chair of the PLA Awards Committee.

Indicate what, if any, particular group or groups from which the juries will be chosen; the number of jury members and any special qualifications needed by the jury members.

5.  Deadline for Nomination of Candidates:  Specify the date nominations are due and the form that nominations will take, e.g., a statement of outstanding contributions, etc. The dates of the Midwinter Meeting affect the date nominations are due.  Unless otherwise specified the deadline for nominations should be December 1.

6.  Screening of Candidates and Recommendations:  Indicate the process to be used in determining the award recipient.

7.  Presentation of the Award:  This award will be presented at the PLA awards ceremony during the ALA Annual Conference.

8.  Form and/or Type of Award:  Designate the form and/or type of award to be given. (e.g. cash, citation, medal, etc.)

9.  Donor:  Specify the individual, group, institution, etc. who will provide funds for both any cash award to be given and the administrative expenses incurred.

10.  Contact:    PLA Awards Committee Chair, Carol Simmons, csimmons@dalycity.org or Greta Southard, PLA Executive Director, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL  60611; phone:  312-280-5028; fax:  312-280-5029; email: gsouthar@ala.org  

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. Copyright Statement.