91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is inviting all library users to nominate their favorite librarians for the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. The national award recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians working in public, school, college, community college or university libraries. Nominations are accepted now through Nov. 9, 2020.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians have gone above and beyond to continue serving their communities, from offering digital programs and materials to providing hunger relief and much-needed Wi-Fi access. Nominees are encouraged to reflect on how their librarians’ creativity, passion and expertise have made an impact during these unprecedented times.

Ten librarians will each receive $5,000 in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Awardees will be honored at the virtual I Love My Librarian Award ceremony on Jan. 23, 2021, which will take place during 91´«Ã½’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits; winners will also receive free full conference registration as part of their award packages.

Since the award was established in 2008, library users nationwide have submitted more than 20,000 nominations detailing how librarians transformed their communities’ inclusivity, digital access and literacy. Over the last decade, only 120 librarians have received this distinguished honor.

Last year’s included a school librarian who helps rural students discover new worlds through virtual reality technology, an academic librarian who leads a first-of-its-kind book club for adults with intellectual disabilities and a public librarian who created an innovative resource center for refugees and immigrants.

To be eligible for the award, each nominee must hold a master’s degree in library and information studies from a program accredited by the 91´«Ã½ or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Each nominee must be currently working as a librarian, or have been employed as a librarian on March 1, 2020, at a qualifying institution in the United States: public library, library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or library at an accredited K-12 school.

The philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York has generously sponsored the I Love My Librarian Award since its inception. The New York Public Library is also a supporter of the award. The 91´«Ã½ administers the award through its Communications and Marketing Office, which promotes the value of libraries and librarians.

About Carnegie Corporation of New York

Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation's work focuses on the issues that Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and a strong democracy.

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves nearly 17 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at . To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.

About the 91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½ is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the 91´«Ã½ has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit .