ULS Outstanding Professional Development Award

About the ULS Outstanding Professional Development Award Established in 2015, this award is intended to recognize librarians, archivists or curators whose contributions to providing professional development opportunities for librarians have been especially noteworthy or influential. The effect of these contributions may be the result of continuous or distinguished service to the profession, but may also be the result of extraordinarily active, innovative or collaborative work that deserves national recognition.

Administered by:

Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) logo

Award and Frequency

$1,000 and a plaque, sponsored by Library Juice Academy.

This award is given out on an annual basis.

Eligibility

Any individual who holds, or has recently held an appointment as a librarian, archivist or curator at a public, academic or national library, archive or museum. Award winners must be members of ACRL and ULS, or join ACRL and ULS upon receiving the award.

Application Instructions

Electronic submissions through the online submission form are required. Nominations should include:

  • A full and clear description in two (2) pages or less of the nominee(s)' work as it pertains to the development and provision of high quality continuing education opportunities for librarians
  • One (1) letter of support from a beneficiary (may be a library professional or a library user) of the professional development opportunities detailing how the professional development has benefited the library profession
  • If applicable, a list of publications or research conducted by the candidate(s), with an explanation of how the research pertains to providing high quality professional development activities for librarians.

Questions or requests for assistance in compiling a nomination should be directed to Amanda R. Peters, arforres@umich.edu.

Contact Information

Displaying active committee roster as of 12/01/2023. Last retrieved on 12/01/2023. Members can log in and refresh page to view full contact information for committee members.

Selection Criteria

At least two of the following four criteria need to be met:

  • Implementing innovative or creative professional development ideas or activities that have measurably impacted library users and / or the profession.
  • Active participation in special projects, efforts or initiatives related to providing professional development opportunities that have measurably impacted library users and / or the profession.
  • Evidence of service and/or collaboration over time related to providing professional development activities that clearly benefited a number of library professionals and library users. 
  • Exemplary and influential research and/or scholarship pertaining to professional development for librarians.