Donald G. Davis Article Award

The Donald G. Davis Article Award is presented by the Library History Round Table of the American Library Association every even-numbered year to recognize the best article written in English in the field of United States and Canadian library history. The award honors Donald G. Davis, longtime professor at the School of Information at the University of Texas and editor longtime professor at the School of Information at the University of Texas and editor of Libraries & the Cultural Record (formerly Journal of Library History, Philosophy, and Comparative Librarianship). A major contributor to the field, Dr. Davis has authored numerous history articles, advised many notable Ph.D. dissertations, compiled important bibliographies, and edited both the Encyclopedia of Library History (with Wayne Wiegand) and the Dictionary of American Library Biography, Second Supplement.

Eligibility and Criteria

Entries for Davis award must have been published during the two years preceding the award year; e.g., articles from 2010 and 2011 may be nominated for the 2012 award.  Entries are judged on quality of scholarship, clarity of style, and depth of research. The round table is particularly interested in articles that place the subject within its broader historical, social, cultural, and political context and make interdisciplinary connections with print culture and information studies. One award will be given every second year unless the jury does not find a suitable candidate for that period. Papers that have won the Justin Winsor or Jesse Shera Awards are not eligible for consideration.

Nominating Process

The Davis Award Committee, a subcommittee of the Research Committee of the Library History Round Table, serves as jury for the award. Any member of the Library History Round Table may nominate one or more articles by sending a recommendation to the Chair of the Davis Award Committee. Also, the editor of the LHRT Newsletter Library History Bibliography will submit a list of candidates. Nominations must be sent by January 13, 2012. Receipt will be confirmed within four business days.

Email nominations are preferred.
Send to: ors@ala.org
Subject line must read: Davis Article Award.

If submission by email is not possible, nominations should be sent to:

LHRT: Davis Award Committee
Office of Research and Statistics
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax: (312)280-4392

Presentation of the Award