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Nominations Sought for Library Journal's Award for the Best Small Library in America 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 second year, the award honors the public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less (see below for eligibility). 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 and partnerships with other agencies and businesses Significant increase in library use, particularly by new users Evidence of library's role as community center The winning library will receive a $10,000 cash award, a feature story in the February 1, 2006, Library Journal, membership and conference costs for two library representatives to attend the Public Library Association Biannual Conference in 2006, and a gala reception at the conference. Nomination deadline: Nov. 1, 2005. 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 25,000 population. 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. Submission Requirements: Anyone can nominate a library-the library administration itself, patrons, members of the community, library peers. All nominations must be received by November 1, 2005. There is no entry form, 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: include population served; total annual budget; per capita budget; circulation; percent of the budget spent on materials; per capita materials budget (excluding electronic databases); visits; e-use (in-house and remote if you offer remote access and collect such 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 at least the first six. 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. 6) Send the nomination to: Library Journal's Award for the Best Small Library in America c/o Library Journal 360 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10010 Or submit by email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions regarding the submission process, please contact Rebecca Miller at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by phone at 646 746 6725.
