Lois Ann Colaianni Award for Excellence and Achievement in Hospital Librarianship
This award is given to a member of the association who has made significant contributions to the profession through overall distinction or leadership in hospital library administration or service, production of a definitive publication related to hospital librarianship, teaching, research, advocacy, or the development or application of innovative technology to hospital librarianship. Presented for the first time in 1991, it was renamed in honor of Lois Ann Colaianni in 1999.
Criteria
- Nominees must be members of MLA.
- Nominees must be hospital librarians at the time of the award and must have worked in a hospital library for at least five years immediately preceding the award.
- The nomination may be made for contributions to hospital librarianship as demonstrated by excellence and achievement in service, advocacy, leadership, publications, presentations, teaching, research, technology, administration, special projects, or any combination of these areas.
Nominations
The Colaianni Jury will review nominations for eligibility and award points based on accomplishments in hospital library work, impact of work, service to the profession, visibility and recognition of work, and major current undertakings.
Nominations should include a description of the nominee’s qualifications for this award, including specific comments on the following:
Description of Significant Professional Achievements
This includes but is not limited to:
- overall distinction or leadership in hospital library administration or service;
- production of a definitive publication related to hospital librarianship;
- teaching, research, or advocacy;
- the development or application of innovative technology to hospital librarianship; or
- any other appropriate activity.
Accomplishments in Hospital Library Work
- Describe the nature and quality of the nominee’s hospital library work, noting special achievements, innovation, initiative, special strengths, and demonstration of leadership.
Impact of Work
- Describe the effect of the nominee’s work on their institution and the extent of its influence beyond.
Service to the Profession
- Describe the nominee’s service to MLA, to other professional organizations, and evidence of her/his professional leadership role.
Visibility and Recognition of Work
- Describe the extent to which the nominee’s achievements are recognized by institutional colleagues, administrators, and library users.
Major Current Undertakings
- Describe the work and other activities in which the nominee is currently engaged that demonstrate continuing endeavor and involvement in hospital librarianship.
Additional
- Current curriculum vitae or resume. (required)
- Any further information which may assist the jury in the evaluation of the nomination and the selection of the recipient.
- Up to three letters of support may be included. (optional)
Recipient
The recipient will be notified in March before the annual conference and asked to share a photo and video for the virtual awards ceremony held in April. The recipient will receive receive a cash award of $1000 after the annual conference in June. If there are no appropriate candidates, the association may elect not to present the award in a given year.
Ready to Submit a Nomination?
- The award application process is now closed.
- Applicants and award recipients will be notified in March 2024 with the results.
- The virtual awards ceremony will be held in April 2024.
- Nominations for the 2025 award will open in August 2024.
Award Recipients
- 2024: none awarded
- 2023: Louise McLaughlin
- 2022: Lisa Huang
- 2021: Nancy A. Clark
- 2020: Barbara S. Reich, AHIP
- 2019: Heather J. Martin, AHIP
- 2018: Edward J. Poletti, AHIP
- 2017: Marian T. Simonson, AHIP
- 2016: Donna B. Flake, AHIP
- 2015: Geneva Bush Staggs, AHIP
- 2014: Heather N. Holmes, AHIP
- 2013: Priscilla L. Stephenson, AHIP
- 2012: Mary Virginia Taylor
- 2011: Barbara J. Henry
- 2010: Michele A. Spatz
- 2009: none awarded
- 2008: Jan Orick, AHIP
- 2007: Ethel Madden
- 2006: Janet Schneider
- 2005: Mary Fran Prottsman, AHIP
- 2004: Christine Chastain-Warheit, AHIP
- 2003: Ysabel Bertolucci
- 2002: Margaret Bandy, AHIP, FMLA
- 2001: Carole M. Gilbert, AHIP, FMLA
- 2000: Jacqueline Brown Ramseur
- 1999: Jacqueline D. Bastille, AHIP, FMLA
- 1998: Kay Cimpl Wagner
- 1997: Cheryl R. Dee, AHIP, FMLA
- 1996: Michele S. Klein, AHIP
- 1995: Jacqueline D. Doyle, AHIP, FMLA
- 1994: Linda G. Markwell
- 1993: Bernie Todd Smith
- 1992: Susan Schweinsberg Long, AHIP
- 1991: Pamela Jean Jajko
- 1990: Kathleen Murray*
- 1989: Rya Ben-Shir, AHIP*
- 1987: Kathleen Moeller, AHIP, FMLA*
*Established as a national award in 1991, prior awards given by the Hospital Libraries Section as the Hospital Librarian of the Year Award.
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