Innovation and Advocacy in Library History Award

The Innovation and Advocacy in Library History Award is presented by the ALA Library History Round Table (LHRT) as a "best of year" achievement award that acknowledges individuals or organizations that have made recent, substantive contributions to LHRT or to the wider library history community. The intention of this non-monetary award is to recognize efforts that are ineligible for other LHRT prizes; thus, nominations which emphasize publication of articles, books, dissertations, or essays will not be considered.

Eligibility and Criteria

Nominations, including self-nominations, are welcomed from all interested parties but must pertain to activities taking place in the past two years. Nominations will be judged on the contributions' quality, impact, and relevance to LHRT or the library history community. The LHRT is particularly interested in recognizing those who have promoted library history in exceptional or new ways or who have reached audiences that have not been engaged previously. Nominee membership in LHRT is encouraged but not required.

Submissions and Selection

Current LHRT members may submit a letter of nomination. The nomination must include the nominee's curriculum vitae and at least two (2) letters of support. Nominators of the same individual may be asked to collaborate to produce stronger nominations and to reduce duplicate effort. The selection of the awardee will be made by an LHRT committee and will be announced in June 2025. Please submit nominations using this form by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Contact Jennifer Bartlett, LHRT Vice Chair, at jen.bartlett@uky.edu for more information.

Previous Winners

2023 Amanda Belantara and A. M. Alpin

2024 Michele Fenton and Brett Spencer