ISLMA/Highsmith Award

Deadline for Application:
Applications must be submitted between May 1st and postmarked no later than September 15th.

Rationale:
The purpose of this award is to annually recognize a school library media center's achievement in planning and implementing an innovative or creative program or service which has a measurable positive impact on its users. The award encourages innovation by highlighting the overall activities of a school library media center, including those of the library staff, administration, faculty and volunteers.

Eligibility:
1. The librarian/media specialist from the nominated school library media center should be a current ISLMA member.
2. School library media centers of any size in Illinois are eligible for the award.

Selection Criteria:

1. Fill out both sections of the nomination and application form.

2. A school library media center can be nominated by the ISLMA Awards Committee, by some other external nominator, or be self-nominated.

3. Keeping in mind the above rationale, write and submit a letter of no more t han two pages which will address the following questions:

How was the library/media center's overall program planned and implemented?

What measurable success among the library media center's users was achieved in terms of usage, program attendance, or greater effectiveness?

How has the school library media center marshaled its resources to have a positive effect on its users?

Selection Process:
The recipient will be selected by the ISLMA Awards Committee. If a suitable recipient is not found, the award will not be given that year.

Award:
A $1000.00 award and a plaque will be given by a representative of Highsmith at the ISLMA Fall Conference. The recipient of the award will be asked by ISLMA to write a follow-up letter to Highsmith indicating how the cash award was used to enhance the library/media center program. A copy shall be forwarded to the ISLMA Board.

Click here for a printable form for this award.

List of Past ISLMA/Highsmith Award Winners