John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award
About
Additional information about John Cotton Dana, the competition, and H.W. Wilson are available on the award's website.
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Categories:
Details
Frequency: Annual
In recognition of their achievement, John Cotton Dana award winners receive a $10,000 cash development grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation. Winners also have the opportunity to show their successful compaign to other libraries and serve as role models for libraries nationwide.
Sponsors:
Professional Recognition Information
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Craighead County Jonesboro (Ark.) Public Library
2013 - Selection(s) The Craighead County Jonesboro (Ark.) Public Library “Meme Your Library” campaign engaged their community in a new way and positioned them as a 21st Century... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Hood River County Library (Ore.)
2013 - Selection(s) In 2010 Hood River County Library (Ore.) district closed due to lack of funding. One year later, after a ballot measure to reopen the libraries... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Lawrence (Kan.) Public Library
2013 - Selection(s) The Lawrence (Kan.) Public Library engaged the community in the celebration of Banned Books Week by having local artists competitively design a week’s worth of... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Mid-Continent (Mo.) Public Library
2013 - Selection(s) Mid-Continent (Mo.) Public Library developed a cohesive and comprehensive rebranding campaign around the concept of “access” to help shift the perceptions of libraries in their... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Richland Library (S.C.)
2013 - Selection(s) Richland Library (S.C.) used customer experience workshops with 400 staff members to “change from the inside out,” identifying the Library’s brand promises to the Richland... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly (Calif.)
2013 - Selection(s) The Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly (Calif.) inspired its students and others around the world to declare, “I’m with the Banned,” through virtual... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Santa Clara City (Calif.) Library
2013 - Selection(s) The Santa Clara City (Calif.) Library launched the Project BEST campaign to educate the community about a new California law mandating that all food service... |
2013 - Selection(s) | |
| Texas Tech Universities (Texas)
2013 - Selection(s) Texas Tech Universities (Texas) used several print and electronic channels—even 3-D animation –to successfully reach its student population through six keywords: Action, Create, Help, Relax... |
2013 - Selection(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington (Texas) Public Library
2012 - Winner(s) The Arlington (Texas) Public Library created “Become a Part of Our Story: Volunteer!” – built around clear, clever, creative job descriptions, turning each position into... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| Contra Costa (Calif.) Public Library
2012 - Winner(s) Contra Costa (Calif.) Public Library’s “Snap & Go,” campaign used QR codes to deliver library materials and services to customers with mobile phones. Usage of the Library’s mobile site... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| Cleve J. Fredricksen Library
2012 - Winner(s) The Cleve J. Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill, Pa., for “Bee Local @ Fredricksen Library: A Honey and Local Foods Festival,” a unique and hugely... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| King County (Wash.) Library System
2012 - Winner(s) King County (Wash.) Library System created “Take Time to READ,” a reading initiative and community relations campaign to focus attention on the value of reading for... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDot)
2012 - Winner(s) The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDot) created the “Moving Knowledge” campaign to convey updated space and resources and improve outreach efforts. The space redesign transformed... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library
2012 - Winner(s) Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library rebranding campaign led up to the rebuilding of the main downtown library, which was devastated in the flood of 2008... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| Emily Jones Pointer Library
2012 - Winner(s) The First Regional Library System’s Emily Jones Pointer Library in Como, Miss. became the place for regional blues music by enlisting community teens to record... |
2012 - Winner(s) | |
| Utah Valley University
2012 - Winner(s) Students and faculty at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah have gotten a clue about the library craft of information orienteering with “Get in the... |
2012 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Department of Libraries & Archives
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Columbus Metropolitan Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Library Media Program of the School District of Lancaster
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Patchogue-Medford Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Indiana University Libraries - Bloomington
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Worthington Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| County of Los Angeles Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Orange Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Brooklyn Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| NOLA Regional Library System
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| The Allen Parish Libraries
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Birmingham Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Palm Beach County Library Association
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Nappanee Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Indiana Library Federation
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) | |
| Orange Public Library
1993 - Winner(s) |
1993 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of the Needham Public Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| J.W. Holloway Middle School
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Columbus Metropolitan Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| MacNeal Hospital Health Sciences Resource Center
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Beatrice Public Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| North Suburban Library System for the METS
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| East Brunswick Public Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Serra Cooperative Library System
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Library of Hattiesburg
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Diablo Valley College Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Milwaukee Public Library System
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Library University of California - Santa Barbara
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Minneapolis Public Library & Information Center
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Seattle Public Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) | |
| Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library
1992 - Winner(s) |
1992 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare Information Center
1991 - Winner(s) For a multifaceted public relations program to increase awareness and use of the Animal Welfare Center through effective outreach activities. |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Spokane Public Library
1991 - Winner(s) For a public relations program highlighting and sustaining a high degree of community involvement in a successful bond issue campaign. |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| British Columbia Library Association
1991 - Winner(s) For "The Biggest, Greatest, Most Amazing Reading Club," a well planned, comprehensive, province-wide summer reading program featuring "Wormsworth." |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
1991 - Winner(s) For a multifaceted, youth oriented campaign featuring "CD ROM," a "Cat-alog" detective, to introduce the library's new computerized catalog. |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Friends of Louisiana State University Libraries
1991 - Winner(s) For "Paper Impressions: A Gala Auction of Fine Books, Art and Miscellanea," a successful publc relations event, orchestrated by volunteers, that raised substantial funds, and... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Coronado Public Library
1991 - Winner(s) For a centennial celebration using the theme "Coronado library: Bridge to the World" that involved the community in creating awareness of the library, its resources... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| George County Library
1991 - Winner(s) For "The Little Library that Could," a successful, cost effective public relations campaign (featuring a clever revision of the classic children's story), to increase county... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Cumberland County Public Library
1991 - Winner(s) For a successful campaign to increase community awareness of library resources and services and to emphasize the vital role that library staff play in day-to-day... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Pikes Peak Library District
1991 - Winner(s) For teh "Great Pikes Peak Cowboy Poetry Gathering," a partnership of cowboy poets, merchants, media and the library district that increased visibility and generated funds... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Harry Spence Elementary School
1991 - Winner(s) For a comprehensive series of public relations programs, utilizing a partnership of children, parents and library staff to encourage children and their families to choose... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| The Holloway Middle School Library
1991 - Winner(s) For "Tune in and Turn on to Reading," a successful middle school library public relations project dramatizing the impact of reading on career development. |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Multnomah County Library
1991 - Winner(s) For a well-planned, diverse campaign to promote the opening of a new library through programs appealing to all segments of the community. Of special note... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Media Services
1991 - Winner(s) For a dynamic celebration of the "Night of a Thousand Stars" that involved the school district as a whole, as well as individual school libraries... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Prince George's County Memorial Library
1991 - Winner(s) For "Black Voices of the '90's," a well attended series of free family programs including lectures, readings, concerts and dance performances that increased library card... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Illinois State Library
1991 - Winner(s) For a creative public relations program with outstanding graphics designed to inform and educate the public about the White House Conference on Libraries and Information... |
1991 - Winner(s) | |
| Nappanee Public Library
1991 - Winner(s) For and outstanding public relations program that joined library and community in supporting local history through the library's "Railroad Remembrances" project. |
1991 - Winner(s) |
John Cotton Dana submissions include strategic library communication campaigns from all sizes and types of libraries. Submissions include rebranding efforts, promoting unique archives, awareness campaigns and community partnerships. Entries may be submitted by any library, Friends group, consulting agency or service provider, excluding libraries represented by the JCD Committee members.
JCD entries are organized around the following areas: needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.
Libraries submit samples of their processes, research, media releases, media coverage or other results received plus evaluation of the results and other documentation and supporting materials that show the scope and effectiveness of the library’s strategic communication effort.
In recognition of their achievement, John Cotton Dana award winners receive a $10,000 cash development grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation. Winners also have the opportunity to show their successful compaign to other libraries and serve as role models for libraries nationwide.
Awards for entries selected will be announced in June 2026 by ALA and EBSCO Information Services. Up to eight winners from libraries with a wide range of budgets, both large and small, will be selected and honored at the ALA’s Annual Conference.
The ALA John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award Committee reviews and assesses applications for the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award based on established criteria and evaluation process, reaching consensus on the award recipients.
