Professional Recognition

Celebrating leadership, achievement and excellence in the field of librarianship.
2023 Howard Award winner Carla Hayden with ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ President Pelayo-Lozada

ALA Professional Recognition Awards

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The ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Professional Recognition Awards program honors individuals, groups, or organizations that have shown outstanding leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship.

Henriette Avram receiving ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Honorary Membership

Historic Professional Recognition Awards

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Historic Professional Recognition Awards are formal ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ honors that are no longer bestowed. While no longer offered, these awards hold significant historical value, reflecting past excellence or contributions that have already been recognized. The legacy of historic awards can still inspire and provide context for present and future acknowledgements in similar domains.

¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Honorary Membership

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Conferred upon the award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton for her longstanding support and commitment to inspiring a love of books and reading.

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Sullivan is honored for her lasting contribution to the field of librarianship through her service to the profession and ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ, her work on organizational change, leadership development, and her consulting practice that has reached thousands of librarians.

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Neal was nominated in recognition of significant contributions to libraries and the profession of librarianship and his accomplishments as ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ president and treasurer and a member of ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Council.

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Wedgeworth was nominated in recognition of significant contributions to the profession at large and the extraordinarily important work he did while leading ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ as its chief executive officer.

Upcoming deadlines

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Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award

School librarians are invited to apply for a $5,000 award recognizing outstanding humanities programming in kindergarten through twelfth grade.


ALA John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award

Honoring outstanding effective strategic communication campaigns that show results, no matter what size or type of library.

Frequently asked questions