The Annual Awards Program recognizes Library employees’ efforts to advance the Library’s mission, goals, and strategic priorities. Employees may be nominated by co-workers within the Library, colleagues across campus, or Library users.
Find out more about the annual award categories, and then submit a nomination for an employee who has made an impact:
- Submit an Annual Award nomination
- Tips for writing a strong nomination, and alternatives to written nominations.
University Librarian’s Award For Meritorious Service
The University Librarian’s Award for Meritorious Service is the University Libraries’ highest honor. It recognizes exceptionally meritorious and transformative excellence over time OR especially meritorious service in the face of exceptionally challenging, crisis, or emergency circumstances.
Eligibility
All University Libraries employees, except for the University Librarian, Associate University Librarians, and hourly students. No employee may receive the University Librarian’s Award for Meritorious Service more than one time.
Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated a sustained level of transformative excellence over time;
- Performed especially meritorious service in the face of an exceptionally challenging situation, a crisis, or an emergency.
Process
Nominations are due by November 10. The University Librarian and Associate University Librarians will review award nominations and select recipients. Awards will be presented in December or January.
Annual Excellence Awards
The annual Excellence Awards recognize outstanding workplace effort or contributions in any of the five categories outlined below.
Eligibility
All University Libraries employees, except for hourly students. Current members of the awards committee are not eligible. After receiving an Annual Award in any category, an employee is not eligible to receive another Annual Award during the next two award cycles.
Process
Nominations are due by November 10. The Annual Awards Committee will receive and review nominations and select up to three recipients. Awards will be presented in December or January.
There are five award categories for the Excellence Awards (you may select more than one category for your nomination):
1. Customer Service
For delivering outstanding service to University Libraries patrons (external service) or colleagues (internal service).
Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria:
- Has consistently gone above and beyond to provide excellent service to University Libraries patrons;
- Has consistently gone above and beyond to provide excellent service to other University Libraries staff members.
2. Inclusive Excellence
For applying or embodying principles of inclusive excellence and making the University Libraries a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.
Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria:
- Has served as an outstanding advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and/or accessibility at or on behalf of the University Libraries;
- Has demonstrated exceptional commitment to implementing the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and/or accessibility at the University Libraries;
- Has worked to dismantle bias in the University Libraries’ workplaces and/or in collections, services, or operations.
3. Innovation and Problem-Solving
For developing and implementing an innovation that transforms the experience of those who use or work at the University Libraries or that produces exceptional results, efficiencies, or improvements.
Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria:
- Has developed and/or implemented a project, program or service that transforms the experience of University Library users or staff for the better;
- Has developed and/or implemented a project, program or service that expands the reach or possibilities of the University Libraries;
- Has developed and/or implemented a process or procedure that produces exceptional results, efficiencies or improvements for the University Libraries, its users and/or its staff;
- Has developed and/or implemented a process or procedure that solves a difficult or long-standing problem.
4. Leadership
For demonstration of outstanding leadership of or mentorship within the University Libraries or toward library patrons.
Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria:
- Has provided outstanding leadership of a department, team, committee, task force or other group of University Libraries employees;
- Has led unofficially—by example, by attitude, or in other ways—to move colleagues toward a strategic goal or improvement, or to improve workplace climate and well-being.
- Has demonstrated exemplary initiative or commitment in carrying out work of strategic or operational importance.
- Has provided exceptional mentorship to colleagues, student employees, or members of the University community.
5. One Library
For efforts that promote, improve and/or exhibit cross-library collaboration or mission integration or that bring the University Libraries together as a more united organization.
Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria:
- Has successfully developed, led and/or implemented projects or initiatives that cross departmental boundaries within the University Libraries;
- Has developed, led and/or implemented programs that foster or embody a OneLibrary culture.
