Awards

Nominations for SCLA Awards are closed. Congratulations to our 2024 award winners who are listed below. 

Friend of Libraries Award

The SCLA Friend of Libraries Award recognizes outstanding service to a library or libraries which furthered the expansion of library services in South Carolina. The contribution made by the person or organization may include, but not be limited to: financial benevolence, advocacy/promotion, or creative/innovative initiatives, programs, or events.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to a deserving nominee that meets the following criteria:

• A person or organization deemed to be a "friend" to any type of library (academic, public, school, or special) or to the library profession as a whole. e.g. a Friends of the Library Group, a volunteer, a legislator, a donor.

• Activities within the past five years are eligible for consideration.

• Individuals or teams may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

2024 Award Winner: Friends of the Green Sea Floyds Library, Horry County Memorial Library - Green Sea Floyds Library

Hall of Fame Award

• A current or retired member of SCLA.

• At least ten years of experience working at any South Carolina library.

• Significant career accomplishments and contributions to the development of library and information services in their local community, the state of South Carolina, and/or the nation.

• Leadership and service contributing to the advancement of the goals and objectives of the South Carolina Library Association.

• Individuals must be nominated by others.

2024 Award Winner: Cathi Mack, Assistant to the Dean/Coordinator of Technical Services/Instructor, South Carolina State University

Intellectual Freedom Award

The SCLA Intellectual Freedom Award recognizes members of our community who have contributed to an awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues in South Carolina libraries. Such contributions may include: demonstration of related advocacy, programs, service, educational workshop, or promotion or legislative support on the local, state, or national level.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to a deserving nominee that meets the following criteria:

• Any member of the community, library worker or not, who has contributed to upholding the principles of intellectual freedom.

• Activities within the past five years are eligible for consideration.

• Individuals must be nominated by others.

 2024 Award Winner: Tamara Cox, Media Specialist Teacher, Wren High School (Anderson School District One)

Legacy of Service Award

The SCLA Legacy of Service Award recognizes the ongoing legacy of library employees who have worked on or more South Carolina Libraries for 30 years or more. This award will honor their ongoing commitment to their libraries and their communities. This is not a competitive award. Applicants who meet the criteria below will receive an award.

The award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to any nominee that meets the following criteria:

• Current employee of a South Carolina Library.

• At least 30 years of experience working in one or more South Carolina libraries.

• Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

New Librarian Award

The SCLA New Librarian Award recognizes the achievements of librarians (with an MLIS or equivalent degree) who are already making significant contributions to the field early in their careers. Such contributions may include: demonstrating leadership in innovative programs or services, contributing to their library’s impact on its community, and/or promoting the profession through teaching or professional writing.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to a deserving nominee that meets the following criteria:

• A current employee of and have at least one year of experience working at any South Carolina library.

• At least one year of experience working at any South Carolina library.

• Five or fewer years of post-graduate (MLIS or equivalent degree) library experience.

• Individuals must be nominated by others.

 2024 Award Winner: McKenzie Lemhouse, Assistant Librarian, Instruction & Outreach, University of South Carolina–Lancaster

Outstanding Librarian Award

The SCLA Outstanding Librarian Award recognizes and honors a mid-career librarian (with an MLIS or equivalent degree) whose work has enduring value. Such contributions may include excellence in leadership, innovative program or service development, impactful advocacy initiatives, or promotion of the profession through teaching or professional writing.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to a deserving nominee that meets the following criteria:

• A current employee of a South Carolina library.

• At least one year of experience working at any South Carolina library.

• Six or more years of post-graduate (MLIS or equivalent degree) library experience.

• Nominees without an MLIS or equivalent degree, but who meet all other requirements, may be considered.

• Activities within the past five years are eligible for consideration.

• Individuals must be nominated by others.

2024 Award Winner: Marilynn Lance-Robb, Branch Manager, Georgetown County Library - Carvers Bay Library

Outstanding Library Support Staff Award

The SCLA Outstanding Library Support Staff Award recognizes the achievements of a library support staff member. Such contributions may include: excellent performance in their field of expertise, demonstration of leadership, innovations in customer service (internal and external) or technical service, development of new programs or services, or advocacy initiatives.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to a deserving nominee that meets the following criteria:

• A current employee of a South Carolina Library.

• At least one year of experience working at any South Carolina library.

• Employed in a library position that does not require an MLIS or equivalent degree

• Activities within the past five years are eligible for consideration.

• Individuals must be nominated by others.

2024 Award Winner: Carl Redd, Archives Specialist, Clemson University

Student Award

The SCLA Student Award recognizes a student who demonstrates dedication to the profession, is actively engaged in professional development, and is making important or innovative contributions to the field of librarianship or information science during their course of study.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to a deserving nominee that meets the following criteria:

• A full-time or part-time graduate student working towards the completion of their MLIS OR an undergraduate student majoring or minoring in library science.

• A current employee, volunteer, or intern at any South Carolina library.

• Individuals must be nominated by others.

2024 Award Winner: Ramon Maclin, Adult Services Librarian, Charleston County Public Library - Keith Summey North Charleston Library

2024 Honorable Mentions

Friends of the Library Award: Kitty Spires, President of the South Congaree-Pine Ridge Library, Lexington County Public Library - South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch

Intellectual Freedom Award: DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization

New Librarian Award-Honorable Mention #1: Houston Sorrels, Adult Services Librarian, Charleston County Public Library - Mt. Pleasant Library

New Librarian Award-Honorable Mention #2: Kathryn Barry, Outreach Librarian, Lexington County Public Library

Outstanding Librarian Award: Amy Pittsenbarger, Youth Services Librarian, Lexington County Public Library - Lexington Branch

Outstanding Library Support Staff: Helen Walker, Circulation Supervisor, Charleston County Public Library - Baxter-Patrick James Island Library

2025 SCLA Award Nominations

The application form for the 2025 SCLA Awards nominations will go live in May. Please send questions to Christy Allen, Chair of the Awards Committee.