John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award

About the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award
The John Cotton Dana Award honors outstanding effective strategic communication campaigns that show
results – no matter what size or type of library.

Additional information about John Cotton Dana, the competition, and H.W. Wilson are available on the award's website http://www.ebscohost.com/academic/john-cotton-dana

Administered by:

Library Leadership and Management Association logo

Award and Frequency

 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.

This award is given out on an annual basis.

Eligibility

 Strategic library communication campaigns may be submitted by any library, Friends group, consulting agency or service provider.

The only exclusions are institutions represented by John Cotton Dana Award Committee members, John Cotton Dana Award Committee members from the previous year, organizational units of the American Library Association, EBSCO Publishing and the H.W. Wilson Foundation.

2012 entries must be completed during one of the following time frames:

  • Any segment of the calendar year 2011 (January - December)
  • 2010-2011 Academic year (Fall 2010 - Spring 2011)
  • Long-term project completed in 2011

Application Instructions

 Each entry must include:

1. An official Application Form PDF
2. A concise descriptive summary of the campaign (100 words or less)
3. A narrative summarizing the campaign’s Needs Assessment Planning, Implementation & Creativity, and Evaluation. This narrative must be no longer than three pages total.
 
Entries no longer require a presentation portfolio. An electronic file (PDF, PowerPoint, Word document, etc.) containing your three-page narrative and any supporting materials that show evidence of your work are all that your entry requires. Although, electronic submissions are preferred, you may submit your entry and supporting materials in hardcopy format. If hardcopy submissions are used, each piece must be no larger than 8 ½ x 11. Contact the JCD Chair for questions or any additional information.

Contact Information

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Selection Criteria

The contest will now be judged on the following budget categories (library’s total annual operating budget):

  • Up to $999,999
  • $1 - $5 million
  • $5.1 - $15 million
  • $15.1 - $30 million
  • + $30 million

  The John Cotton Dana Award Committee members will evaluate the scope, relevance and effectiveness of your strategic communication campaign based on the criteria outlined on the entry form.(PDF)

Notification

Awards for entries selected will be announced on April 27, 2012.
All entrants will be invited to attend a special John Cotton Dana Awards Reception sponsored by EBSCO Publishing, the H.W. Wilson Foundation, and ALA and its LLAMA division at the American Library Association Annual Conference, where award-winning campaigns will be honored.