ASCLA seeks nominations for service, leadership awards

The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is now accepting nominations for the Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, the Exceptional Service Award, and the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for 2009.

Those interested in submitting a nomination can download the award nomination form from the awards section of the ASCLA website or request the form from Liz Markel, ASCLA Marketing Specialist, via e-mail at lmarkel@ala.org. All nominations must be received by December 15, 2008.
These three awards recognize accomplishments in the following areas:

Cooperative, Consulting, Multi-type and State Library Services
The Leadership and Professional Achievement Award is presented to one or more ASCLA members exemplifying leadership and achievement in the following areas: consulting, multitype library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs and state library development.

Extension and Outreach Services
The Exceptional Service Award recognizes exceptional service to patients in a medical facility, to persons who are homebound, to inmates, to older adults, and adults with a physical or mental disability, who live in group homes or residences, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity, and significant research.

Service to ASCLA
The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is presented to an ASCLA personal member for exceptional service and sustained leadership to the division. This includes participation in activities which have enhanced the stature, reputation and overall strength of ASCLA, and have also cultivated the division’s relationship with other appropriate organizations, institutions or governmental agencies.

Call for nominations: ASCLA award honors accessibility-related projects

CHICAGO–The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) seeks nominations for the 2009 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD award.

Sponsored by ASCLA, the National Organization on Disability and Keystone Systems, this award recognizes an innovative and well-organized project that successfully developed or expanded services for people with disabilities. The award can be for a specific service(s) program or for a library that has made its total services more accessible through changing physical and/or attitudinal barriers. The winner receives $1,000 and a certificate provided by Keystone Systems.

Those interested in submitting a nomination can download the award nomination form from the awards section of the ASCLA website or request the form from Liz Markel, ASCLA Marketing Specialist, via e-mail at lmarkel@ala.org. All nominations must be received by Dec. 15.

Recent award recipients have included the Braille Institute of Library Services, Los Angeles (2007) for its Telephone Reader Program; the Skokie Public Library (Ill.), Youth Services Department (2006) for its efforts to educate library staff about children with special needs, offer programming for these children and their families and present disabilities awareness programs for the general public; Johnson County Library, Shawnee Mission (Kan.) for its “Literature for the Learning Disabled Adult” program (2005); and the Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections, University of Toledo (2004), for its Regional Disability History Archive Project.

ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and multi-type cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed.