[WLA-All] Fwd: Library Journal's Best Small Library in America

[Erin Kinney]

>>> "Kim, Ann (RBI-US)" <AKim at reedbusiness.com> 8/9/2006 11:53:22 am
>>>

Nominations Sought for the Best Small Library in America Award 2007

Deadline: November 1, 2006 

Library Journal's annual award for the Best Small Library in America,
cosponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was founded to
encourage
and showcase the exemplary work of these libraries. Now in its third
year,
the award honors the public library that most profoundly demonstrates
outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less (see below for
eligibility). The winning library will receive a $15,000 cash award, a
feature story in the February 1, 2007, Library Journal, membership and
conference costs for two library representatives to attend the Public
Library Association Biannual Conference in 2008, and a gala reception
at the
conference. 

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

* Partnerships with other agencies and businesses

* Increase in library use, particularly by new users

* Evidence of library's role as community center 

Keeping the factors above in mind, please tell us how, in the last two
years, you have raised the profile of the library in your community,
reached
out to new users and remote users, and used technology to support and
grow
patron access to materials and information. Please also describe the
use of
public access computers (PACs) in your library and how you anticipate
sustaining PACs and adapting to the next generation of users. In your
description of your collaborations with others, please give examples of
how
the library has become a model for the partnering organization and how
the
organization has become a model for the library.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

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

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:

* Population served

* Total annual budget (if you are part of another body of government,
note
if you pay utility bills, IT, etc.)

* Per capita budget

* Circulation

* Materials budget (including electronic databases)

* Physical visits (door count)

* Virtual visits (e-use, if collecting this 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 those the library does have. Also, please
detail
whether the nominated library is a member of a consortium/county-wide
service district-what services are provided by it (technology support,
training, databases, etc.), what role does the library play in it? The
judges do not make selections based on numbers, though they are helpful
in
giving context to the written submission. 

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 a
population of 25,000. 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. 

6) Send the nomination, by November 1, 2006, to: 

Library Journal's Award for the 

Best Small Library in America 

c/o Library Journal 

360 Park Avenue South 

New York, NY 10010

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

 
Ann Kim
Special Projects Coordinator
& Graphic Novels Editor, Print & Online
Library Journal
646-746-6819/FAX 646-746-6734
akim at reedbusiness.com <mailto:akim at reedbusiness.com> 
www.libraryjournal.com <http://www.libraryjournal.com/>