The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association has established the Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality.
About Herb
Herb Biblo was a long-time member and supporter of SRRT from the early days of SRRT in the 1970s until his death in 2018. He also served as ALA Treasurer from 1980 - 1984 and as ALA Councilor for many years alongside his wife Mary Biblo. Read more about Herb in our June 2018 newsletter.
About the Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership in promoting social justice and/or equality within the library profession. Leadership can be demonstrated by accomplishments through the Social Responsibilities Round Table or other ALA bodies, socially responsible groups within state, provincial, regional, or city library organizations, and/or international library organizations. Preference will be given to persons who have had the widest impact, including influence on the greater society outside the library environment. To be eligible for this award, individuals must be members of SRRT or other library organizations or groups with similar goals and objectives.
One award per year of $2,000 will be given out. The first award was presented to Elaine Harger at the 2022 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
Award Criteria
Evidence of concrete accomplishments related to social responsibility in librarianship or library science education, for example:
- Work on racial and social justice
- Promoting feminist and LGBTQ+ rights
- Services for people who are experiencing homelessness, who are undocumented, as well as others who have been disenfranchised and/or marginalized
- The promotion of civil and human rights domestically and internationally
- Education and lobbying for anti-imperialist US foreign policies
- The promotion of peaceful relations among nations
- The promotion of alternative publications
- Defense of whistleblowers and the freedom to publish
- Defense of free speech including workplace speech
- Promotion of unions and other labor organizations
- Achievements in environmental education and action
- Leadership in opposing mass surveillance
Awards may be given either for specific projects and programs or for a lifetime of achievement.
Call for Nominations
Applications for the award are currently being accepted. Nominations received by 11:59pm CST on March 31, 2023 will be considered for the 2023 award. Submit your nomination here: https://airtable.com/shrK9lATDZo8lI5jc
Contribute to the Award
Contributions to the Herb Biblo Award for Outstanding Leadership are currently being accepted on the official ALA donation page: https://ec.ala.org/donation/SRR-6448-BIBLOE
Questions and inquiries about the Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality can be sent to Kevin Strowder with the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services at kstrowder@ala.org or diversity@ala.org.