This annual award recognizes an academic or law librarian who, through research, service to the profession, or other creative activity, makes distinguished contributions to bibliography and information service in law or political science. This award honors Marta Lange, 1990-91 Law and Political Science Section (LPSS) Chair, whose exceptional talents as a leader were enhanced by a wonderful collegial spirit. Her bright career, cut short in a fatal automobile accident in 1992, was an inspiration to others and a model of professional service.
"In addition to serving as the Chair of PPIRS/LPSS, Jeremy has been actively involved in other PPIRS committees and has expanded his role by serving...
“Lynda Kellam has provided distinguished service in political science librarianship,” said award chair Erin Ackerman, social sciences librarian at the College of New Jersey. “The...
“In reviewing Scherlen’s nomination, the committee was particularly impressed with his impact on the political science curriculum at Appalachian State University in being embedded in...
“The committee selected Leuzinger because of her outstanding record of public service and civic engagement,” said award chair Bryan M. Carson, professor and coordinator of...
“Chad’s extensive contributions to legal and political science librarianship spans from service to scholarship, continually demonstrating his knowledge of the field, and passion for civic...
“Brian's scholarship is impressive, beginning his research and writing about Belize when it was still British Honduras, and over time interviewing all of the former...
“The selection committee felt that Kathi represents the best of what the Marta Lange award recognizes in research, service and creative contributions to political...
Nominees must be active members of PPIRS or other related professional organizations (ACRL, GODORT, AALL, etc). Preference will be given to candidates who are members of PPIRS.
Nominations should highlight the nominee’s distinguished contributions to librarianship in political science, international affairs, policy, law, and government related fields. Contributions to the profession take many forms, and we have designated the following categories as ones worthy of recognition: innovation in teaching and learning, scholarship and research, service to the profession, mentorship, civic engagement, and lifetime achievement. Only one award will be given each year from the submitted nominations, but nominations can be made in any of these categories. In years where there is an outstanding Lifetime Achievement nomination as well as an outstanding nomination in another category, the section reserves the right to award both recipients, with SAGE-CQ Press sponsoring one award and the section sponsoring the other.
Nominators should select the category where the nominee has made the most contributions, or that best fits the activities for which the nominator would like the nominee recognized. Nominations can span categories if the person or project meets the criteria of more than one, but the nomination should explain the contributions in each category.
Lifetime achievement nominations should look across all categories and may be awarded in addition to another award in any given year. Nominees must be active members of PPIRS or other related professional organizations (ACRL, GODORT, AALL, etc). Preference will be given to candidates who are members of PPIRS.
Below are the categories for nominations and a description of each. Innovation in Teaching and Learning Recognizes the development or improvement of significant educational resources and/or services for use in the teaching and learning of law, politics or policy related fields. Nominations should describe the innovative efforts and contributions of the nominee. Examples of Innovation in Teaching and Learning include, but are not limited to: Scholarship and Research Recognizes significant scholarly and research contributions in law, politics or policy related librarianship. Examples of Scholarship and Research include, but are not limited to: Service to the Profession Recognizes significant leadership and active participation in the library profession, as well as law, politics or policy relatedlibrarianship. Examples of Service to the Profession include, but are not limited to: Mentorship Recognizes ongoing and significant efforts to support and assist colleagues, especially those beginning their professional careers and/or new to law, politics or policy related librarianship. Examples of Mentorship include, but are not limited to: Civic Engagement Recognizes ongoing and significant efforts to connect the library to its broader communities around law, politics or policy related issues. Examples of Civic Engagement include, but are not limited to: Lifetime Achievement Recognizes the cumulative career achievements of political science, international affairs, policy, law, and government related librarianship, including achievements in several of the following: scholarship (publications and presentations), service to the profession (professional organization and committee work), instruction and reference services, mentorship, library outreach and civic engagement. This prestigious recognition is given to librarians with at least 20 years of service to the profession.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will be considered as nominations are received, but held to the higher standards that a lifetime achievement award necessitates. The committee will consider the span and scope of the librarian’s contributions to political science, international affairs, policy, law, and government related librarianship when awarding a Lifetime Achievement Awards and will look for nominees who have demonstrated their commitment to politics librarianship on a large scale across a long career. The Lifetime Achievement Award may be awarded in addition to regular Marta Lange awards in years when there are outstanding nominations in both.
Electronic submissions through the are required. Nominations must include a 500-1000 word narrative supporting the nomination. The narrative must speak to the impact of the nominee’s work on librarianship in political science through the areas of distinction for the selected category(ies). The committee will contact the nominee’s supervisor for more detailed information and a CV, which will be considered along with the nominator’s narrative. Nominations will be kept on file for three years for reconsideration by the committee.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Groups are eligible for nomination. In the latter case, the nomination should specify a group member to receive the award check. The member receiving the check would then be responsible for distributing the award funds among the other group members.
Questions or requests for assistance in compiling a nomination should be directed to Mary Kathryn Oberlies, William & Mary, mary.oberlies@gmail.com.
