MLA Logo

MLA Annual Awards

Congratulations to our 2009 Annual Award recipients!

Maryland Library Association Award
Gail Griffith

Maryland Library Association Emerging Leader Award
Jennifer Sprigg

Paraprofessional Recognition Award
Patricia Turkos

Outstanding Volunteer Award
Pat Baker

Distinguished Service Citation
Delegate Norman Conway

Outstanding Member Award | Emerging Leader Award | Outstanding Paraprofessional Award | Distinguished Service Citation | Outstanding Volunteer Award | Honorary Membership | Blue Crab Award

The Maryland Library Association wants to recognize special people who have contributed to libraries in Maryland. Each year MLA recognizes several people at the Annual Conference. We need YOUR nominations for the awards listed below. The MLA Awards Committee encourages you to submit the name(s) of anyone you think deserves an award; the committee will select recipients from your nominations. Nomination forms are available online or may be requested. Contact Lucy Holman, MLA Awards Committee Chair, by phone (410-837-4333), or email lholman@ubalt.edu. Paper forms may be emailed to lholman@ubalt.edu., faxed to 410-837-4319, or mailed to Lucy Holman, Langsdale Library, University of Baltimore, 1420 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201. Please nominate your colleagues by October 30, 2009.

Please note: MLA also distributes annual awards to a Maryland author through the Maryland Author Award and for children's books through the Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award.

Maryland Library Association Outstanding Member Award

Previous Winners

Purpose
The purpose of the Maryland Library Association Outstanding Member Award is to recognize a MLA member who has effectively provided sustained service to MLA and significantly enhanced its mission and goals.

Eligibility
Any MLA member is eligible for the Award. No person may receive the Award more than once.

Criteria
The recipient of the Award will have met these criteria:

  • Provided effective and sustained service to MLA and its membership
  • Enhanced the mission and goals of MLA through an elected or appointed position in MLA, including a position on the Executive Board, Advisory Council, committee or panel
  • Demonstrated leadership in supporting library development, funding, services, customers and/or staff on the local, state and/or national level
  • Demonstrated personal characteristics that make the recipient an inspirational role model for the diverse MLA membership

Maryland Library Association Emerging Leader Award

Previous Winners

Purpose
The purpose of the Maryland Library Association Emerging Leader Award is to recognize a MLA member working in a library who has demonstrated strong leadership potential and to encourage the recipient to assume an increasingly responsible role in librarianship.

Eligibility
Any MLA member with less than ten years experience working in a library and who is currently employed in a library. No person may receive the Award more than once.

Criteria
The recipient of the Award will have met these criteria:

  • Demonstrated strong communication skills
  • Demonstrated initiative and creativity
  • Created a positive vision, communicated it to others and inspired and guided others to achieve it
  • Played an increasing leadership role in libraries and library associations, including MLA
  • Demonstrated a commitment to the future of library service in his/her work or professional activities

Outstanding Paraprofessional Award

Previous Winners

Purpose
The purpose of the Maryland Library Association Outstanding Paraprofessional Award is to recognize a library paraprofessional or support staff member who has made a significant contribution to libraries in Maryland.

Eligibility
Any MLA member who does not possess an MLS degree is eligible for the Award. No person may receive the Award more than once.

Criteria
The recipient of the Award will have met these criteria:

  • Promoted professional growth for, and solidarity among, library paraprofessional or support staff on the local, state or national level
  • Demonstrated active support for library development, funding, services, customers or staff on the local, state or national level

Maryland Library Association Distinguished Service Award

Previous Winners

Purpose
The purpose of the Maryland Library Association Distinguished Service Award is to recognize a Maryland resident who has demonstrated effective library advocacy over an extended period of time and whose contribution to libraries transcends the boundaries of one county or political jurisdiction in Maryland.

Eligibility
Any Maryland resident who is not a library employee is eligible for the Award. No person may receive the Award more than once. Recipients might include:

  • Library advocates, trustees or friends
  • Legislators on the local, state or national level
  • Elected or appointed government officials
  • School/academic administrators
  • Foundation/corporate leaders
  • Attorneys who have successfully championed libraries

Criteria
The recipient of the Award will have provided successful and sustained advocacy or lobbying on behalf of library development, funding, services, customers or staff on the state or national level.

Maryland Library Association Outstanding Volunteer Award

Previous Winners

Purpose
The purpose of the Maryland Library Association Outstanding Volunteer Award is to honor any library volunteer in Maryland who exemplifies the positive impact that volunteers can make in libraries through their outstanding service.

Eligibility
Any library volunteer in Maryland is eligible for the Award. No person may receive the Award more than once.

Criteria
The recipient of the Award will have met these criteria:

  • Made a positive impact on library development, services, resources or promotion
  • Demonstrated sustained support for library customers, staff or other volunteers
  • Overcame an unusual situation in order to volunteer or volunteered a significant number of hours

Maryland Library Association Honorary Membership

Previous Winners

Purpose
Maryland Library Association Honorary Membership recognizes a lifetime of significant contributions to libraries and librarianship.

Eligibility
Any Maryland resident is eligible for MLA Honorary Membership.

Criteria
The recipient of MLA Honorary Membership will have met these criteria:

  • Provided sustained, effective and significant contributions to librarianship over the recipient’s lifetime on the state and/or national level, including contributions to libraries, library associations, library education and/or library advocacy
  • Provided sustained, effective and significant contributions to librarianship based on the recipient’s achievements as an individual rather than as the representative of an organization, association or group of individuals
  • Demonstrated sustained commitment to the mission, values and ethics of the Maryland Library Association
  • Encouraging reading and the use of the library's resources