OITP, LITA extend deadline for cutting-edge technology nominations to Nov. 16

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) and the Library & Information Technology Association (LITA) are extending the deadline for submitting nominations for best library practices using cutting-edge technology to Nov. 16. 

“We know libraries of all types are serving their communities with novel and innovative methods, and we want to collect as many examples of this work as possible,” said Patty Saidenberg, chair of the Cutting-edge Technology in Library Services selection committee. “We’ve kept the nomination process simple so we can focus on the content, and we hope a little extra time will encourage more libraries to share their work with us.”

Last year, a record number of libraries vied for the esteemed recognition. Four libraries were cited for their work: Contra Costa County Library in Pleasant Hill, Calif., New Canaan High School Library in New Canaan, Conn., New York Public Library and Scottsdale Public Library in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Members from the subcommittee on America’s Libraries for the 21st Century (AL21C) and LITA will review all nominations and may conduct selected interviews or site visits to identify those libraries that are truly offering a best practice or most innovative service.  Libraries or library service areas selected will be publicized via the OITP and LITA websites, highlighted through ALA publications, and featured in a program at the ALA Annual Conference in 2013.

“Cutting edge” refers to tested and successful implementations of technological advancements used in services such as:

• improvements in traditional services and processes by inventing/re-inventing/twisting technology;
• introduction of new, innovative services that are flexible and responsive to community needs;
• iethods for connecting libraries to their communities;
• iunding initiatives or organizational models that ensure library information technology will remain current.

Additional details, including submission information, for the nomination process can be found on the OITP website.