To recognize a librarian with a long-standing, distinguished record of professional achievements and accomplishments. 

Eligibility: 

Nominee must:

• Be a current or past professional librarian in a Florida academic, public, school or special library.

Eligibility: 

Nominee must:

• Be an employed library administrator in a Florida academic, public, school or special library.

This award shall be bestowed on a nominee based on either accomplishment during the current year or during several years of activity.

To recognize outstanding and ongoing contributions to Florida librarianship. This award is intended for people employed in non-leadership positions.

Eligibility: 

Nominee must:

• Be employed as a professional librarian in a Florida academic, public, school or special library. This award shall be bestowed on a nominee based on either accomplishment during the current year or during several years of activity. 

• Possess an MLS or MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited library school or bachelor’s degree with at least five years of experience working in Florida libraries.

To recognize a Florida librarian who is new to the profession, has made significant contributions to their library and librarianship, and demonstrates potential for professional development.

Eligibility: 

Nominee must:

• Be employed full-time in a professional capacity as a librarian in a Florida academic, public, school or special library.

• Obtained an MLS or MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited library school no more than five years ago.

• Have one full year of library service in Florida prior to their nomination.

Outstanding Paraprofessional

To recognize a library paraprofessional or support staff member who has made a significant contribution to libraries in Florida.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be employed full-time as a library staff member, not in a professional position, in a State of Florida academic, public, school or special library

• Not have received the award previously.

Intellectual Freedom

To recognize an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to increasing the right of individuals to access information regardless of content or viewpoint.

Eligibility:

Any individual or organization residing or operating within the boundaries of the State of Florida during the calendar year shall be eligible for nomination. 

Award Description and Eligibility

To recognize a Florida library for their exceptional contributions, innovative programming, technology use, inclusivity, and dedication to staff development, celebrating their excellence in serving and enhancing their community.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be a single library or a library system in Florida (academic, public, special, or school).

To recognize and celebrate exceptional creativity and innovation in library programming and services. This award honors individuals, teams, or organizations that have developed and implemented groundbreaking programs or services that significantly enhance the library's ability to serve its community.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be a library staff member (or group) directly involved in the program or service in a Florida academic, public, school or special library

• Be a creative or innovative program, service or project.

• Program or Project: must have occurred within the past two years.

• Service: must have been offered within the past two years.

To recognize and celebrate Florida libraries' exceptional efforts in communication through web, social media, and print. This award highlights innovative strategies, effectiveness, and exemplary practices in engaging and communicating with the public and library users.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be a single library or a library system in a Florida (academic, public, special, or school library)

The Libraries Mean Business Award recognizes and celebrates the significant contribution of library initiatives to local economies and communities, emphasizing investments in library services that benefit businesses and residents alike. 

Eligibility: 

Nominee must: 

● Be a single library, library system, or consortium in Florida (academic, public, special, or school). 

● Initiative must have been conducted within the previous calendar year.

This award recognizes exceptional research in librarianship, library science, and research into problems, challenges, and/or issues in libraries published by a Florida librarian or library staff member during the past two years. Research projects may include published books, book chapters, journal articles, white papers, bibliographies, or other significant contributions to library literature. Blog posts, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations are not eligible. Submissions will be judged based on their contributions to the field of librarianship.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be a librarian or library staff in Florida; Joint author proposals are acceptable, but all authors must be Florida Library Association members and will split the award.

Eileen Brunner Library Champion Award

(New!)

The award is driven by volunteer contributions, including but not limited to: Trustees, Board of Trustees, Friends of the Library groups, and Foundations.

Eligibility: 

Nominee must:

Be Non-Library Employees 

Outstanding Citizen

The Outstanding Citizen Award celebrates the dedication, impactful contributions, and service of a citizen to the libraries of Florida. This award honors individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to supporting and enhancing library services, creating a lasting positive impact on the community through their selfless efforts and dedication.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be a resident of Florida.

• Have made significant contributions to Florida libraries.

Outstanding Business or Media Partner

This award honors a company, business partner, or media agency (including newspaper, television, magazine, etc.) for their leadership or significant contribution in support of library service to a local, regional, or state-wide library organization.

Eligibility:

Nominee must be a company, business partner, or media agency that provided:

• financial support

• publicity

• volunteer recruitment campaign

• employee involvement project

• fundraising assistance or

• outreach project

which resulted in a positive change or improvement for library service. 

Maria Chavez-Hernandez "Libraries Change People"

To recognize an employee of a library, library organization, or library association who created outstanding programs and services that provide resources and programming specific to any underserved, marginalized and/or immigrant populations and honor the memory of Dr. Chavez-Hernandez and to perpetuate the dynamic spirit of her work.

Nicaraguan native Dr. Chavez-Hernandez received her Ph.D. in Library Science and Information Studies from Florida State University in 1991 and was a librarian, educator, and advocate for information and library access for immigrant and underserved populations. She was responsible for a large body of work focusing on Library and Information Services in the Caribbean and the Americas providing many resources and programming on the specific library and information needs of underserved and/or Latin American immigrant populations and their families. Dr. Chavez-Hernandez was also an active member of Florida Library Association, American Library Association, Association of Library and Information Science Education (ALISE), National Education Association (NEA), and REFORMA (National Association to Promote Library Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking). Dr. Chavez-Hernandez passed away in 2008.

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• be an employee of a library, library organization, or library association in Florida.

• have been working actively for at least two years on the program and/or service that benefits a group such as: immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, incarcerated people and ex-offenders, adult new and non-readers, older adults, people of color, poor and homeless people, rural libraries, native libraries, tribal libraries, underserved youth, and bookmobile communities.

Betty Davis Miller Youth Services

To recognize an individual or group for creating an outstanding program of direct service to youth through a measurable impact, originality, and sustainability. 

Two awards will be presented annually: one for children's services (ages 12 and under) and one for teen/young adult services (ages 13 through 18).

Eligibility:

Nominee must:

• Be a library staff member (or group) directly involved in the program or service in a Florida academic, public, school or special library

• Program: must have occurred within the past two years.

• Service: must have been offered within the past two years.

Note: Program or service may be new or creative adaptations to existing programs.