GPLS Library Awards Program

Nominations are now being accepted for the GPLS Library Awards program. These awards honor the outstanding service and achievements of Georgia's public libraries, librarians and library champions. 

• Georgia Public Library of the Year will be presented to an individual facility 
  ​
  or library system
   ​
  whose staff best exemplifies the qualities needed to positively impact the lives of residents in the communities it serves.
  ​
    Nominations for library systems that include multiple locations must demonstrate the integration of each facility to the overall impact of the system as a whole. ​

• Georgia Public Librarian of the Year will be presented to a full-time and professionally licensed practicing public librarian whose innovative and creative talents are instrumental in the delivery of outstanding library service to his or her library and the communities it serves, as well as dedication and commitment to the state and profession as a whole. The winner must be employed by a public library for at least 9 months of the award year. 

• Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year will be presented to an outstanding advocate whose support significantly raised the profile of libraries and improved services during the award year. Honorees may include, but are not limited to, elected officials, authors, library board members or members of Friends of Georgia Libraries or local Friends groups who were not employed in any capacity by a library during the award year.

We have a new award this year: 

• Georgia Public Library Lifetime Achievement award may be given each year to a retired Georgia librarian for extraordinary service to Georgia public libraries throughout 
  ​
  his/her
  ​
   career. Special emphasis is placed on the long-lasting impact of their work: nominees must be retired from full-time work for three years before being nominated. Given these special requirements, this award may not be presented each year.   

Please submit your nominations by clicking on the award titles above.  Nominations may be submitted by public library directors, trustees, members of Friends groups, and GPLS staff members. If you need more space or have additional support materials, please submit via email to wcornelisen@georgialibraries.org. Deadline for nominations is October 31, 2016.

The awards selection committee comprises five members of the GPLS team. The selection process will be conducted in November and winners will be notified in December.

Formal award presentations will be scheduled for early 2017 at times and locations based on the preferences of each winner and for ensuring the maximum amount of local publicity for each award.