Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award

About the Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award To recognize an individual who has made a distinguished contribution to reference librarianship. This contribution may include an imaginative and constructive program in a particular library; authorship of a significant book or articles in the reference field; creative and inspirational teaching; active participation in professional associations devoted to reference services; or leadership in other noteworthy professional activities. 

During her career, which started in 1903 and concluded in 1941, Isadore Gilbert Mudge increased student independence in research and improved reference collections with several specific types of sources, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlases, among others. A pioneer in reference librarianship, she coined the phrase “material, mind, and method” to describe her reference philosophy when she began teaching the class “Bibliography and Bibliographic Methods” as an associate professor at Columbia's School of Library Services. She edited the American Library Association’s Guide to Reference Books, a comprehensive bibliography of reference tools. To honor her career, the American Library Association created the Isadore Gilbert Mudge Citation in 1958 for librarians who make distinguished contributions to reference librarianship.

 

Administered by:

Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) logo

Award and Frequency

This award presents a monetary prize of $5,000 and a citation.

*Monetary award amounts are subject to change without notice and are contingent upon donor funding supplied at the time the award is presented. 

This award is given out on an annual basis.

Eligibility

More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/rusa-isadore-gilbert-mudge-award/.

Application Instructions

More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/rusa-isadore-gilbert-mudge-award/.

Contact Information

Displaying active committee roster as of 12/06/2023. Last retrieved on 12/06/2023. Members can log in and refresh page to view full contact information for committee members.

Selection Criteria

More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/rusa-isadore-gilbert-mudge-award/.