Background
The Distinguished Librarian Award is presented annually by the University of Washington Libraries to a librarian whose contributions advance the mission of the Libraries and the University. The awardee is recognized at the University of Washington Awards of Excellence Ceremony.
Eligibility
University of Washington Librarians (UW Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma, Law Librarians), either full-time or part-time, with permanent, provisional, continuing or non-continuing status are eligible. Librarians with temporary appointments are not eligible. Members of the selection committee are not eligible during their term of service. A librarian may receive the award only once.
Nomination Procedure
Anyone (supervisors, colleagues, faculty, staff, and students) may nominate a librarian for the Distinguished Librarian Award. Nominators should submit a completed nomination form and a letter of nomination (two pages maximum). The Selection Committee asks nominees for their CVs and the names of up to three people who could serve as references. The committee then contacts the references to ask for letters of support. Letters should discuss the nominee’s accomplishments and how they contribute to the Libraries and to the University. The Committee makes decisions based solely on the content of the nomination and support letters, and does not review additional materials or websites. After the awards are announced, each nominee will receive a copy of their nomination packet. Individuals nominated are kept in the pool for three years.
- Nominations for this year’s Award are now closed.
- Questions about the Award and award process, contact Jackie Belanger or Anne Davis.
Criteria
The award recognizes excellence in librarianship, especially in terms of impact on the academic community through innovative approaches to professional practice, research, and/or teaching and learning. Additional factors include creativity, leadership, service, scholarship, and demonstration of the University of Washington values of integrity, diversity, excellence, collaboration, innovation and respect.
Timeline
September 2024: Dean of University Libraries appoints Selection Committee
October 1-November 30, 2024: Selection Committee issues call for nominations
November 30, 2024: Deadline for nominations
December 10, 2024: Deadline for nominees to submit their CVs and names of the three references
January 10, 2025: Deadline for letters
January 2025: Nomination review
Spring 2025: Libraries recognition of all nominees / UW Awards of Excellence ceremony and reception (June 2025)
Selection Committee
The selection committee is appointed by the Dean of University Libraries, and is composed of librarians drawn from the three UW campuses and a representative designated by the chair of the Faculty Council on University Libraries. A representative from the Information School may also be appointed. The Dean of the University Libraries designates one member of the committee to serve as its chair/co-chair which, in practice, are the immediate past winners of the Award. The selection committee issues the call for nominations, reviews the nomination packets, and makes recommendations to the Dean of University Libraries who makes the final decision.
2023-24 Selection Committee
Jackie Belanger, Director, Assessment and Planning (Vice-Chair)
Anne Davis, Collections Coordinator (Odegaard) & Anthropology Liaison Librarian (Vice-chair)
Caitlin Maloy, Nursing and Research Services Librarian
Cate Gerhart, Head, Monographic Cataloging Unit
Johanna Jacobsen Kiciman, Education and Research Help Librarian & Head of UW Tacoma Library Research Services
Faculty Council on University Libraries Representative: TBA