OLA Technical Services Award

The Ontario Library Association recognizes an Ontario librarian, teacher-librarian, technician, library worker or department who has made a substantial achievement to their institution and/or the library profession in the area of technical services. This award is about recognizing those who help with the efficiencies and improved access to materials. Awards like this foster innovation, create an environment to share ideas and support high morale among technical service workers.

Nominees may either be an individual person or a group. When nominating a group, please provide details for a primary contact in the nomination form.

Criteria/Eligibility

Keys areas of contribution that could be, but not limited to, considered for a nominees are:
- ADVANCEMENT. Contribution to the technical services field through the development, application and/or utilization of new and/or improved formats, methods, techniques, equipment and routines
- LEADERSHIP. Significant contribution to the technical services profession through involvement in organizations, publication or research. Implantation of a special project, program or service
- CAREER ACHIEVEMENT. Individuals who have made long-standing contributions to the profession who deserve recognition by peers
- MENTORING. Training and professional mentoring in the field of technical services.

Nominees should be or have been employed in an Ontario library, though non-Ontario experience and contribution will be recognized in the submission.
The nominee should be an example of a technical services employee or department who has/have raised the profile of this sector of the library profession.
There is no requirement for the nominee(s) to be an OLA member.
Individuals may not nominate themselves.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations will be accepted between: September – November.
Nominators must be members in good standing of OLA.
While this award is designed for an individual it is possible for a department to be nominated and considered.
Up to three letters of endorsement are encouraged and should provide evidence of the worthiness of the nominee(s).

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 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.
Once the winner has been chosen, the OLA Office and OLA President, or designate will contact the successful nominator.
The OLA office will contact all unsuccessful nominators.
The OLA office will connect with the winner for award presentation logistics.
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

This award is presented at the OLA annual Super Conference in conjunction with the award ceremony of the recipients’ type of library.
The recipient will prepare a short acceptance speech.

Past Recipients

2025 Lorraine Gordon & Sherri Bennewies, Stratford Public Library
2024 Louanne Penny, Niagara Catholic District School Board
2023 Thomas Brenndorfer, Guelph Public Library
2022 Kanta Kapoor, Milton Public Library
2019 Library Support Services Team, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
2018 Janet Rushton, Idea Exchange
2017 Aida Rudnik, Hamilton Public Library
2016 Lisa Radha Weaver, Library Learning Resources, Tippett Centre, Toronto District
School Board
2015 Connie Mitchell, Durham District School Board
2014 Julie Fisher, School Library Support Services, Peel District School Board
2013 Deanna Harron, Turner Fenton Secondary School, Peel District School Board
2012 Bonnie Starr, Halton District School Board
2011 Not awarded
2010 Not awarded
2009 Not awarded
2008 Betty Ann Robitaille, Windsor Public Library
2007 Raffaela Baratta, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board