OLA Champion Award

This award has been developed to recognize unique partnerships with the Ontario Library Association. This partnership must demonstrate significant contributions and commitment to the association, its programs and services through this venture. This individual, corporation, group or association has provided connections, support and exposure outside the regular OLA audience adding great value to the OLA.

Criteria/Eligibility

Nominees shall not be an employee of OLA or a member of any of OLA Board or Councils.
An OLA Board, Council, or staff member can nominate Individuals, corporations, groups, associations, sponsors, publishers, or suppliers.
An organization that is currently under a contractual agreement with OLA is not eligible.

Nominees

Have exposed OLA, its programs, or its services to a new audience.
Have been working directly with staff or council members throughout their partnership with OLA.
Have created a unique partnership promoting OLA’s program and/or services.
Can create a partnership that is a one-time involvement or an on-going partnership developed over the year with OLA.
Through OLA, have contributed to or supported libraries.

Nomination Procedure

Nominators must be a member in good standing of OLA.
The nomination form can be completed at http://awards.accessola.com/ola champion-award/
Partnerships must have occurred within 1 year prior to the nomination date.
Nominations will be accepted between: September – November.
The closing date for nominations in any given year is: November 1.
Once the winner has been chosen, the OLA President or designate will contact the successful nominator.
- The OLA office will contact all unsuccessful nominators.
Unless otherwise arranged, the OLA President, or designate will also contact the successful nominee and request a photo for promotion purposes.
- The OLA office will later connect with the nominator and the winner for award presentation logistics.
If desired, nominators may be involved in the award presentation such as creating and/or writing the presentation speech. Please indicate your interest to do so in the nomination form.

Selection Process

The OLA Awards Committee will review all of the applications and assess candidates’ eligibility.
Eligible applications will be assessed according to the criteria as above and any supporting the documentation.
The OLA Awards Committee will present all qualified candidates to the OLA Board for consideration. The Board will consider all potential candidates, including those nominated from the membership.
The presentation of the award is at the discretion of the OLA Board and is not necessarily presented on an annual basis.

Award Presentation Information

The winner will be notified in advance of the award presentation.
This award is presented at the OLA annual Super Conference or at an OLA event related to the recipient.
The recipient will prepare a short acceptance speech.
Guests of award winners are welcome to attend the award presentation, however, they must be registered attendees or registered guests. Further information will be provided to the recipient.

Past Recipients

2022 Tara Mora + CBC Books Team
2020 The BrandVan Initiative – Forest of Reading rebranding
2019 Brian Pichman, Evolve Project
2018 Not awarded
2017 Andrew Frontini, Perkins + Will
2016 Not awarded
2015 Not awarded
2014 Ed Torres, President & General Manager, SkyWordsMedia