[OPLINLIST] LJ's Award for the Best Small or Rural Library in America

[Jane Byrnes]

Library Journal is thrilled to announce the creation of a new award to
acknowledge the critical work small and rural libraries do every day. The
first winner of the annual award, co-sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, will be announced in our Feb. 1, 2005 issue. The deadline for
nominations is Dec. 1, 2004. 

The guidelines for the award are also available at:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA477632
<http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA477632> 

 

Rebecca Miller
Editor, Features
Library Journal
360 Park Ave. South
New York, NY 10010
miller@reedbusiness.com <mailto:miller@reedbusiness.com> 
ph: 646-746-6725
fax: 646-746-6734

 

Nominations Sought for Library Journal's Award for the Best Small or Rural
Library in America

11/1/2004 
 

Library Journal's new annual Award for the Best Small or Rural Library in
America, cosponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been
founded to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of these libraries. The
award honors the library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding
service to populations of 25,000 or less (see below for eligibility).
Members of the editorial board of Library Journal, librarians from around
the country, and a representative from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
will judge nominations based on key factors, including: 


*	Creativity in developing services and programs that can be
replicated by other libraries
*	Innovation in introducing and supporting public access computing,
educating patrons in its use, and measuring the impact of this technology
usage
*	Use of technology to expand the reach of library services
*	Demonstrated community support 
*	Success in developing cooperation with other libraries and
partnerships with other agencies and businesses
*	Significant increase in library use, particularly by new users 
*	Evidence of library's role as community center 

The winning library will receive a $10,000 cash award, a feature story in
the February 1, 2005 Library Journal, membership and conference costs for
two library representatives to attend the Public Library Association
Biannual Conference in 2006, and a gala reception at the conference. 


Nomination deadline: December 1, 2004. 


Eligibility Requirements:

1) A single library serving a community with a population of 25,000 or less
is eligible (latest Census).

2) Area library districts or systems may serve an aggregate population of
greater than 25,000, as long as the service area of the library includes an
area or a community with a population of 25,000 or less. The prize money
must be used to benefit that population. 

3) A single county or town with a population over 25,000 that is served by
two or more library districts or systems operating entirely within the
bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a
given library includes a rural area or a rural community or the population
of the library's jurisdiction is 25,000 or less. The prize money must be
used for that area. 

4) A single community with a population greater than 25,000 and having a
library with one or more branches may qualify. The library must have a
service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed
25,000 population. The prize monies must be used only for the benefit of the
rural or community population under 25,000. Similarly a single community
with a population greater than 25,000, which also provide library service to
an adjoining community of 25,000 or less population by contract, may also be
eligible, provided the prize is used entirely to support the smaller
community. 

5) A single community library serving a population greater than 25,000 and
not providing service to a rural area or to a rural community is not
eligible for the award. 


Submission Requirements:

Anyone can nominate a library-the library administration itself, patrons,
members of the community, library peers.

All nominations must be received by December 1, 2004. 

There is no entry fee, but each entry must include the following
information: 

1) Name, address, phone number, and email of nominee and the name of the
contact person, as well as contact information for the submitter if
different from the nominee. 

2) A written explanation of up to two pages, or a list of bulleted narrative
points, that clearly enumerates how the library's accomplishments fit the
criteria for the award listed above. (Note: Entries that describe programs
and their effects on the community will be especially helpful to the judges
in rendering a decision. Supporting materials, such as brochures,
testimonials, press clippings, etc., may be included and are helpful, but
they are less important than the written narrative.) 

3) Photo(s) of library, staff, and patrons, if possible.

4) References from two library peers.

5) Statistical data: include population served; total annual budget; per
capita budget; circulation; percent of the budget spent on materials;
visits; e-use (in-house and remote if you offer remote access and collect
such data); number of staff; percentage of staff who are professional
librarians. Most libraries collect such data, but if you do not have all of
these statistics, then submit at least the first six. The judges do not make
selections based on numbers, though they are helpful in giving context to
the written submission. 

6) Send the nomination to: 


Library Journal's Award for the Best Small or Rural Library in America 
c/o Library Journal 
360 Park Avenue South 
New York, NY 10010
 
Or submit by email to: miller@reedbusiness.com
<mailto:miller@reedbusiness.com> 

 If you have any questions regarding the submission process, please contact
Rebecca Miller at miller@reedbusiness.com <mailto:miller@reedbusiness.com>
or by phone at 646-746-6725.