Distinguished Service Award

This award honors an individual member of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) who has made significant contributions to, and an impact on, library service to children and/or ALSC.  The recipient receives $2,000 and an engraved pin at the ALSC Membership Meeting during 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference.

91´«Ã½

Current Distinguished Service Award Winner
Previous Distinguished Service Award Winners

  • Watch 2022 Distinguished Service Award winner, Betsy Diamant-Cohen, deliver her at the 2022 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference (video, 16 min, 35 sec).
  • Watch 2021 Distinguished Service Award winner, Liz McChesney, giver her at the 2021 virtual ALSC Membership Meeting (video, 13 min, 19 sec).
  • Watch 2020 Distinguished Service Award winner, Dr. Claudette McLinn, giver her at the 2020 virtual ALSC Membership Meeting (video, 8 min, 22 sec).
  • Watch 2019 ALSC Distinguished Service Award winner Maria B. Salvadore give her at the 2019 Annual Conference (video, 10 min, 27 sec).
  • Watch 2017 ALSC Distinguished Service Award winner Ellen Fader give her at the 2017 Annual Conference (video, 9 min, 43 sec).
  • Watch 2016 ALSC Distinguished Service Award Winner Pat Scales give her from the 2016 Annual Conference (video 11 min, 43 sec).

Committee resources

Distinguished Service Award Manual (PDF)
Distinguished Service Award Manual (Word)

How to nominate

Nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Service Award are now closed. They will reopen again for 2026 in the fall of 2025.

  • .
  • Please do not fill out and submit the nomination form until you have all the necessary materials to complete your submission.
  • If you have questions about the fellowship please contact the co-chairs of the Professional Recognition and Scholarships Committee, Mary Schreiber (schreiberalsc@gmail.com) and Gwen Vanderhage (gvanderhage.ala@gmail.com).