RUSA Exceptional Service Award

RUSA%20Exceptional%20Service%20Award

The RUSA Exceptional Service Award is given to a library, library system or individual in order to recognize noteworthy service to hospitalized people, to the housebound, to people living in group homes or residences, and/or to incarcerated people. Additionally, this award seeks to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity, and significant research of experimental projects related to services to these groups.

Eligibility

1. The nominee can be a library, library system, or individual from any nation.

2. Neither nominators nor nominees need to be members of ALA or RUSA.

3. Self-nominations are permitted. Letters of support will strengthen the submission.

4. The President of RUSA is not eligible for the award during their term in office.

Evaluation Criteria

The award jury is composed of members of RUSA’s Achievement Awards and Grants Committee. Each nomination is evaluated using the following criteria (listed alphabetically):

Clarity of the description of the audience for the project or resource
Clarity of the description of the project or resource
Extent to which the project or resource meets an identified reference need Imaginativeness, uniqueness, or innovativeness of the project or resource
Number of users who benefit from the project or resource
Quality of provided samples of the project or resource
Strength of letters of support

Nominations

To submit a nomination, complete the nomination form. Nominations will be accepted through February 21, 2025.

Questions should be directed to the committee chair.

Award Recipients

2023: Willetta M. Grady, Librarian/Library Media Specialist
2021 Catherine G. Zimmerman
2020 Nili Ness, Outreach, Queens Public Library
2019 Heather Pelham, Public Services Librarian, Georgetown County Library System, SC
2018 St Charles Public Library, Ouutreach Services Department
2017 No award presented
2016 Marshes of Glynn Library System, Brunswick, GA
2015 Mary Morgan, Kentucky Department of Corrections, Luther Luckett Correctional Facility
2014 Mary Beth Riedner, volunteer at the Gail Borden Public Library District
2013 No Award presented
2012 Kathleen Hegarty
2011 Hennepin County Library Outreach Services
2007 Diana Reese
2006 Johnson County Library, Kansas – Outreach Services Department
2005 Queens Public Library
2004 Miami-Dade Public Library System
2002 Michael Gunde
2001 Linda Lucas Walling
1999 – Rangashri Kishore