ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award

The ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding member of the library profession who has made a significant national or international contribution to academic or research librarianship and library development.

Award

The award includes a certificate of recognition. Further recognition of award recipients is made at the ACRL President's Program at the annual ALA conference.

Eligibility

Any member of the academic or research library profession is eligible for this award. Self-nominations are accepted. ALA/ACRL membership is not required for nominees or award recipients.

Criteria

This award recognizes and honors achievement in such areas as:

  • Service to the organized profession through the Association of College and Research Libraries and related organizations
  • Significant and influential research on academic or research library service
  • Publication of a body of scholarly and/or theoretical writing contributing to academic or research library development
  • Planning and implementing a library program of such exemplary quality that it has served as a model for others

Submissions

Submissions are closed. Submissions for 2026 awards were accepted through December 12, 2025. Nominees were notified in Spring 2026. 

Electronic submissions through the online nomination form are required. The nomination form must be completed in its entirety. Nominations must be received by the award deadline to receive consideration. Individuals may nominate themselves or others.

Supporting documents to accompany the nomination form include:

  • A nomination letter describing the nominee’s achievements
  • A current CV or résumé for the nominee
  • Letters of support (maximum of two)

All supporting documents should be compiled by the nominator and uploaded through the nomination form as a single PDF. Applications are kept in the award pool for three years. Applications may be updated each year, as long as they are received by the award deadline.

Committee

This award is juried by the ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award Committee.

Information & Assistance

Questions should be directed to ACRL staff, acrlawards@ala.org 

This award was on hiatus from 2022-2025. Nominations for the 2027 ACRL Awards will open in Fall 2026. 

Recipients