Lehigh Valley Libraries: Linking -*- Learning -*- Living

SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Library Association has established an annual support staff award to recognize those valuable members of the library support staff who exhibit leadership, initiative, creativity, and a positive attitude in providing library services. The inaugural award celebration will take place during the Spring Conference of 2008. The award will then become an annual recognition award.

Nomination Form (in pdf format)

Selection Committee

  • 3 - 5 Members of the LV Chapter committee
  • For inaugural year, there are 4 members serving on the committee

Eligibility

  • Any library employee serving in a support staff capacity (support staff, library assistant, library technician, paraprofessional, etc.)
  • Cannot be a librarian, an administrator, a trustee or board member, or a volunteer.
  • Must be on library staff a minimum of 2 years.
  • Staff from any type of library is permitted—public, academic, school, special, etc.
  • Cannot have received award within the past 5 years.
  • If nominated in a previous year, but not awarded, can be nominated again.

Criteria

The individual being nominated should exhibit some or all of the following:

  • Excellence in the performance of his/her role within the library, especially in allowing the library to best serve its constituents and/or its community.
  • Uses initiative and creativity to improve productivity and quality of library services.
  • Continually contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment.
  • Has a positive attitude towards coworkers and clientele and the work environment.
  • Displays a strong commitment to libraries.
  • Has that extra something or goes that extra mile.

Nomination Process

  • Nominations can be submitted by anyone—supervisor, peer, trustee or board member, etc. Selfnominations are not permitted.
  • Nominations for an individual can come from more than one person.
  • Call for nominations will be announced at the annual Spring Conference, with a reminder being sent out in the fall.
  • Nominations can be done using the print form.
  • Submission deadline is February 1.
  • Nomination is limited to only the information on the nomination form; supplemental information or letters will not be accepted.
  • Nominations should be informative and specific.
  • There should be a focus on award criteria.
  • It should include specific examples.
  • Review of nominations will take place in February and March.
  • There will be two award recipients each year.
  • Notifications of awards will be made prior to Spring Conference.

Award Celebration

  • The Award Celebration will take place during the Lehigh Valley Chapter Annual Spring Conference.
  • Each Award Recipient will receive:
    • A certificate bearing the name of the award.
    • One year’s paid membership in the Pennsylvania Library Association.
    • Paid registration at the Chapter Spring Conference.