OLA Media and Communications Award

The OLA Media and Communications Award was established to reward individuals and companies that present libraries and librarians in a constructive light, breaking down stereotypical images often associated with the profession.

Criteria / Eligibility

To qualify, coverage of libraries and/or the issues they represent must appear in Canadian magazines, newspapers or journals, be heard on Canadian radio stations, be viewed on Canadian television, or be on Canadian web sites.

Nomination Procedure

The nomination form can be completed online by visiting: https://accessola.com/membershipinformation/awards/

The nominator must provide a current, representative selection of the nominee’s coverage in electronic format.
Nominations will be accepted between: September – November.
The closing date for nominations in any given year is: November 15.
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 process for this award is stewarded by the OLA Awards Committee, which is a subcommittee of the OLA Board of Directors.
The presentation of the award is at the discretion of the OLA Board and is not necessarily presented on an annual basis.
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.

Award Presentation Information

This award is presented at the OLA annual Super Conference.
The winner will be notified in advance of the award presentation.
At the presentation, an introductory speech will be delivered outlining the achievements of the award winner.
The recipient will prepare a short acceptance speech.
Guests of award winners are welcome to attend the award presentation, however, they must be registered conference attendees or registered guests. All attendees must have a conference badge to be onsite. Further information will be provided to the recipient.

Past Recipients

2025 White Coat, Black Art, CBC Radio
2023 #SchoolLibraryJoy Social Media & T Shirt Design Campaign
2022 Not awarded
2021 Not awarded
2020 Stephen Hurley, VoicED Radio
2019 Not awarded
2018 Mary Baxter, Producer and Steve Paikin, Host: TVO’s The Agenda
2017 Anne Marie Madziak, Southern Ontario Library Service
2016 100.9 Canoe FM
2015 The Grand FM 32.9, CBC Radio 1
2014 Michael Dawber, CEO, Rainy River Public Library
2013 Toronto Public Library Workers Union Local 4948
2012 MIchael Lajoie-Wilkinson, Student, Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
2011 Toronto Public Library, Make Some Noise project
2010 Ann Seidl for Hollywood Librarian
2005 Nancy Pearl, Seattle Public Library Centre for the Book
2004 John Lorinc, freelance writer and parent
1999 Writers of Due South (television)
1993 BDO Dunwoody