CODES Louis Shores Award
Established in 1990, this award recognizes an individual reviewer, group, editor, review medium, or organization for excellence in book reviewing and other media for libraries. Award winners receive a citation.
The son of politically progressive German-Jewish immigrants, Louis Shores taught English at traditionally black Fisk University. In 1933 he became dean of the library school at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn., where he received his Ph.D. (1934) and pioneered courses in audio-visual materials. Later, he worked concurrently as dean of the library school at Florida State University (1941–67) and as consultant to Collier’s Encyclopedia.
Nominations
To nominate an individual reviewer, group, editor, review medium, or organization, complete the CODES Louis Shores Award nomination form, and follow the submission instructions therein.
Questions should be directed to the committee chair.
Submission Guidelines
Selection is based on at least one, and preferably more than one, of the following criteria:
- The contribution is significant to the profession.
- The contribution serves an active role in the development of collections of all kinds.
- The contribution serves as a model for others.
- The contribution is innovative and/or advances the role of reviews in selection and collection development.
Award Recipients
2024: Marlene Harris and LibraryReads Incorporated
2023: Diana Tixier Herald, Independent Reviewer
2022: No award presented
2021: Terry Hong, Contributing Editor, Booklist
2020: NPR Books
2019: Donna Seaman, Adult Books Editor, Booklist
2018: Ron Charles, Editor of “Book World”, Washington Post
2017: Mary Burkey, independent library consultant
2016: Multimedia & Technology Reviews
2015: Brad Hooper, Booklist
2014: Francine Graf, managing editor at Choice
2013: NoveList’s NextReads.
2012: Sarah L. Johnson, professor of library services at Eastern Illinois University and author of the blog Reading the Past.
2011: Bill Ott, editor and publisher of Booklist magazine, was selected for his outstanding contributions to the field of reviewing.
2010: Heather McCormack, Managing Editor of Library Journal’s Book Review section and creator and editor of Book Smack!
2009: Blogging for a Good Book, Williamsburg Regional Library
2008: Ann Chambers Theis, creator of OverBooked
2007: Katina Parthemos Strauch
2006: Barbara Hoffert
2005: Ronald Sukenick
2004: Nancy Pearl
2003: Diane Holzheimer
2002: Kathleen K. Piehl
2001: Mary Ellen Quinn
2000: The Internet Scout Project
1999: Brian E. Coutts and John B. Richard
1998: Peter Jacso
1997: Gail A. Schlachter
1996: Cheryl M. LaGuardia
1995: James R. Rettig
1994: H. Robert Malinowsky
1993: William Katz
1992: Frances N. Cheney
1991: Helen K. Wright