Nomination period now open for ASCLA awards recognizing service to profession and outstanding service to special populations

The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is now accepting nominations for its 2014 awards which recognize projects focused on library services to people with disabilities; the advancement of library services for the blind and physically handicapped; exceptional achievement in extension and outreach services; exemplary leadership and achievement in consulting, state library services and library cooperatives; and service to ASCLA.

Each of these five prestigious awards–the Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, the Exceptional Service Award, the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award, the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award and the Francis Joseph Campbell Award–highlights the areas of work represented by ASCLA, a division of ALA. The nomination deadline for all awards is February 1, 2014. Click on the award names below to access each award’s webpage for more information, including nomination criteria and links to nomination forms, which are available in both PDF and Word format. Submission instructions are on each nomination form. Questions about the ASCLA awards program should be sent to Susan Hornung (shornung@ala.org) or 312-280-4395.

The ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award is sponsored by ASCLA, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Keystone Systems, Inc. This $1,000 award and citation are given to a library organization that has provided services for people with disabilities. The 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 Francis Joseph Campbell Award honors a person or institution for outstanding and significant contributions in this field of service with a medal and a citation. Contributions include but are not limited to: an imaginative and constructive program in a particular library; a recognized contribution to the national library program for blind persons; creative participation in library associations or organizations that advance reading for the blind; a significant publication or writing in the field; or imaginative contribution to library administration, reference, circulation, selection, acquisitions or technical services; or any activity of recognized importance. The award is sponsored by Keystone Systems, Inc. and the Southern Conference of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress.

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes exceptional service to patients, to persons who are homebound, to people of all ages who live in group homes or residences and to inmates, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity and significant research or experimental projects. The recipient receives a citation.

The Leadership and Professional Achievement Award is a citation presented to one or more ASCLA members (personal or organizational) exemplifying leadership and achievement in the following areas: consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide services and programs and state library development.

The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is a citation presented to an ASCLA personal member for exceptional service and sustained leadership to the division. This includes participation in activities that 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.

Those interested in submitting a nomination may download the appropriate award nomination form from the awards section of the ASCLA website. Nominations for all awards must be received by Feb. 1, 2014. Submission information can be found on each nomination form. Contact ASCLA Executive Director Susan Hornung with any questions: shornung@ala.org or 312-280-4395.

Carole Rose wins ASCLA Campbell Award for notable contributions to library services for the blind and physically handicapped

Read the official ALA press release here.

Carole Rose, who recently retired as a librarian at the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library, is the 2012 winner of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies’ (ASCLA) 2012 Francis Joseph Campbell Award.

The award, which includes a citation and a medal, is presented to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for blind and physically handicapped people. ASCLA, Keystone Automated Systems (KLAS) and the Southern Conference of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped co-sponsor this award.

Rose was selected for her significant contributions over 46 years to the advancement of library service for blind and physically handicapped people throughout the state of Indiana, and also for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of the Indiana low vision community. The award also recognizes Rose’s dedicated leadership in creating Indiana Talking Book & Braille Library programs that embraced change and positively touched the lives of generations of Hoosiers with vision loss.

Rose also played a crucial role as editor (1978-2011) of both Indiana Insights, the Indiana Talking Book & Braille Library newsletter; and IN Touch, a newsletter dedicated to teachers and parents of students with disabilities. These publications have become the most valuable medium of communication for the Indiana Talking Book & Braille Library and were crucial to promoting and advocating the new digital player from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH). The copious articles she has written for both in-house and other state and national low-vision communiqué have contributed to Indiana’s success in  moving over 80 percent of its Talking Books patrons from the old cassette player to the new digital player.

“Carole embodies many of the qualities and characteristics recognized by the ASCLA Francis Joseph Campbell Award,” said Norma Blake, ASCLA president. Her “contributions to the advancement of library service for blind and physically handicapped people” are unparalleled in Indiana history, according to her State Library colleagues.

Rose served as a librarian at the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library from 1965 until her retirement in 2011. Since 1972, she coordinated the library’s summer reading program. She also served as coordinator for the Indiana Vision Expo, the largest low-vision tradeshow in the Midwest, from 2006-2011. She was a grant writer for two successful grants: $950,000 from the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation to support the recording of books and magazine articles with Indiana connections; and a $2,000 Choose Children grant from Alpha Xi Delta Foundation to expand the large print and Braille book collections.

Rose will receive her award at the ASCLA/COSLA Networking Party and Awards Reception, which will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 2012 at one of the ALA Annual Conference hotels in Anaheim, Calif. All conference attendees are invited to this event, which will celebrate this year’s ASCLA award winners and also feature peer-to-peer networking activities. More information will be available at www.ala.org/ascla in late spring.