2026 Joseph W. Lippincott Award Winner - Sara Kelly Johns

CHICAGO — Sara Kelly Johns is the recipient of the 2026 Joseph W. Lippincott Award. This award is sponsored by Joseph W. Lippincott III and presented by the American Library Association (ALA) for distinguished service in the profession of librarianship.

The Joseph W. Lippincott Award Jury is proud to announce Sara Kelly Johns as the recipient of the 2026 Joseph W. Lippincott Award. Johns is recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field of librarianship through leadership, scholarship, and sustained professional service.

Sara Kelly Johns’ contributions to professional literature are both extensive and deeply influential. For many years, she served as an associate editor of Knowledge Quest, the journal of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), where she not only authored impactful articles but also championed and recruited new voices to share research and best practices. Her own scholarship spans numerous respected journals, including Teacher Librarian, School Library Connection, School Library Journal, and School Librarians Workshop, as well as Knowledge Quest, where she also served as AASL Community Editor for eight years.

Her contributions to the field are further reflected in her work as an author and editor of significant texts. She is the co-author of Elevating the School Library: Building Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior (ALA/AASL, 2024) and co-editor of Strengthening Library Ecosystems: Collaborate for Advocacy and Impact (ALA, 2024), both of which underscore her commitment to advancing library practice and advocacy. In addition, she has contributed chapters to School Library Management, 6th ed. (Linworth, 2007) and Creative Library Marketing and Publicity: Best Practices (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), further demonstrating the breadth and longevity of her influence on the profession’s body of knowledge.

Johns’ leadership record is equally distinguished. A member of the American Library Association (ALA) for more than 40 years, she has contributed not only as a dedicated member but also as a presenter, leader, and mentor across the organization. She has served as an at-large member of the ALA Council, as well as president and division councilor for AASL. Her leadership extends across numerous committees and task forces within both ALA and AASL, often in chair roles. She is a past co-chair of ALA’s COLA Ecosystem Subcommittee and currently serves as chair of both the ALA Publishing Committee and the Retired Members Round Table (RMRT), reflecting her continued active engagement and influence.

At the state level, Johns’ impact has been profound. She is a past president of the School Library Section of the New York Library Association (NYLA/SSL), the New York Library Association (NYLA), and AASL. Since 1991, she has chaired or co-chaired the NYLA/SSL Educational Leadership Committee Summer Leadership Institute, demonstrating remarkable longevity and an unwavering commitment to cultivating leadership among school librarians throughout New York State.

Her contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the North Country (NY) Reference and Library Resources Council Excellence in Librarianship Award, the New York Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and the AASL Social Media Superstar Advocacy Ambassador Award. These accolades reflect both the depth of her expertise and the wide-reaching impact of her work.

In addition to her scholarship and leadership, Johns’ is a dedicated educator and mentor. She teaches at the graduate level in the iSchool program at Syracuse University, where she prepares the next generation of librarians to thrive in a dynamic and evolving profession. Her excellence in teaching has been recognized with the Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award. Across every role she has held, Johns’ has been a generous mentor and trusted colleague, known for her ability to inspire, guide, and elevate others.

Sara Kelly Johns’ career is defined not only by achievement, but by sustained service, intellectual leadership, and a deep commitment to the advancement of librarianship. On behalf of the Joseph W. Lippencott Award Committee, we are honored to recognize her with this year’s award and celebrate her lasting contributions to the field.

Members of the 2026 Joseph W. Lippincott Award Jury are Chair Arlene Laverde, Librarian, Queens College/Townsend Harris High School Library, Queens, NY; Diane Chen, School Librarian, Stratford STEM Magnet School, Nashville, TN; Jennifer Joe, Undergraduate Engagement Librarian, Toledo, OH; Kayla Kuni, Associate Director of Libraries, Pasco-Hernando State College, Spring Hill, FL, and Jess Calvert, Morgantown, WV.

Applications for the 2027 Joseph W. Lippincott Award must be submitted by February 28, 2027. Guidelines and forms are available on the ALA website.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.