University Library News Release
Date: September 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanette Smith, NMSU Library, (575) 646-7492, jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu
I Love My Librarian Award Announced
The Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York Times announce the new I Love My Librarian Award. Nominations for school and academic librarians begin September 2 and continue through October 15. Nominations for public librarians run from August 15 through October 1.
Administered by the American Library Association's Public Information Office and the Campaign for America's Libraries, the award program will continue annually through 2013. The award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their communities.
Up to ten librarians in academic, school and public libraries will be selected each year, and each will be honored at a ceremony and reception in New York at TheTimesCenter, hosted by The New York Times. Each winner also will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and a $500 travel stipend to attend the awards reception. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner's library. Nominees will be judged by a selection committee based on quality of service to library users, demonstrated knowledge of the library and its resources and commitment shown in helping library users.
Each nominee must be a librarian with a master's degree from a program accredited by the ALA in library and information studies or a master's degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must be currently working in the United States in a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university, an accredited K-12 school or a public library.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support the award program.
"In our democratic society, the library stands for hope, for learning, for progress, for literacy, for self-improvement and for civic engagement. The library is a symbol of opportunity, citizenship, equality, freedom of speech and freedom of thought, and hence, is a symbol for democracy itself," said Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
"We're thrilled to be working with the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the American Library Association to honor librarians who play such a vital role in our communities," said Scott Heekin-Canedy, president of The New York Times. "What began as a local Times initiative in New York City seven years ago has grown to a national awards program and now we are proud to be co-presenting the award with the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the American Library Association."
"This award will continue to raise awareness of the valuable contributions of today's librarians and the ways they make a difference in people's lives and their communities, schools and campuses," said American Library Association President Jim Rettig.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York was created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote "the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." For more than ninety-five years, the corporation has carried out Carnegie's vision of philanthropy by building on his two major concerns: international peace and advancing education and knowledge.
For more information, visit http://www.ilovelibraries.org or email Jeanette Smith of the New Mexico State University Library at jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu.
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