Awards

Now accepting nominations for all awards for 2022!  Submissions are due Friday, September 16, 2022.

Friend of Libraries Award

The SCLA Friend of Libraries Award recognizes outstanding service to a library or libraries, which has furthered the expansion of library services in South Carolina.

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

- The award may be given to a person or to an organization deemed to be a “friend” to any type of library—academic, public, school, or special—or to the library profession as a whole
- Service on which the award is based must have occurred within five years preceding January 1 of the award year
- The contribution made by the person or organization may include, but not be limited to, financial benevolence

• Award Nomination Form

Hall of Fame Award

The SCLA Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding individuals with a long-standing, distinguished record of professional achievements and accomplishments. This Award is open to both librarians and paraprofessionals who have made a substantial, lasting impact through their work within South Carolina libraries. Multiple nominees may be inducted each year if appropriate.

This award will be presented at the annual SCLA Conference to deserving nominees based on the following criteria:

- 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
- Accomplishments must include at least 10 years of work within South Carolina
- Must be a current member of SCLA, unless retired

• Award Nomination Form

Innovation Award

The SCLA Innovation Award recognizes a team, department, library branch, or other collaborative effort using innovative practices in service to their community. This Award highlights creative approaches for impacting change, problem-solving with practical results, and/or engaging new audiences. Winner(s) will be expected to present a public program or webinar for SCLA sometime in the following year.

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

- Overall breadth, vision, creativity, and uniqueness of the project, service, or effort
- Evidence of community impact and demonstration of focused results
- Highlighted efforts must be ongoing or completed within the previous 18 months of the award deadline
- Nominees must be current members of SCLA. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

• Award Nomination Form

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. The award may be given to any member of the community, librarian or not, who has contributed to upholding the principles of intellectual freedom.

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

- Demonstration of related advocacy, programs, or service -- may be for a single event or for an ongoing project, educational workshop, or promotion. It also may be related to legislative support on the local, state, or national level.
- Activities within the past five years are eligible for consideration
- Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others

• Award Nomination Form

New Professional Award

The SCLA New Professional Award recognizes the achievements of library workers who are already making significant contributions to the field early in their careers, demonstrating leadership in innovative programs or services, contributing to their library’s impact on its community, and/or exceeding the limits of their job description.

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

- Must be currently employed at a South Carolina library of any type
- Must have five or fewer years of post-MLS library experience, with at least one year of service in South Carolina libraries
- Nominees must be current members of SCLA. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

• Award Nomination Form

Outstanding Librarian Award

The SCLA Outstanding Librarian Award recognizes and honors a mid-career librarian who has initiated or developed an imaginative or creative program, service, or work of enduring value, for the effective use of or increased interest in libraries or a particular library. Such contributions may include excellence in leadership, significant professional writing, instrumental role in building programs, promotion of the profession through teaching or influence, etc.

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

- The recipient must be a “Librarian” as defined by the Awards Committee and the SCLA Executive board, actively serving in any type of library in South Carolina – academic, public, school, or special
- The award will recognize contributions made within the five years preceding January 1 of the award year.
- Nominees must be current members of SCLA. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

• Award Nomination Form

Outstanding Paraprofessional Award

The SCLA Outstanding Paraprofessional Award is given to recognize the contribution and excellence of a library support staff who engages in library operations at all levels, promotes and supports the Paraprofessional Roundtable, and advances and strengthens the image of paraprofessionals.

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

- Demonstrates excellence of performance in his/her field of expertise
- Promotes staff development and fosters communication among library employees
- Nominees must be current members of SCLA (membership in the Paraprofessional Roundtable is optional).
- Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

• Award Nomination Form

Student Award

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

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

- Must be 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
- Is currently employed by, volunteering, or interning at a South Carolina library
- Nominees must be current members of SCLA. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

• Award Nomination Form