OPLA Children’s or Youth Services
Librarian of the Year Award
Nomination period February - October
Public Library Sector
Description
The OPLA Children’s or Youth Services Librarian of the Year Award is given to honour a children’s librarian who has made a positive impact on children’s or youth services librarianship.
Eligibility
- Nominees must be working in the public library field in Ontario.
- The nominee must have made a significant contribution in the following areas:
- Active involvement in the public library profession.
- Enhanced service to children and youth in the local library.
- Innovation in delivery of children’s or youth services.
- Strong advocacy for service to children and youth.
- Modeling children’s and youth services librarianship as a rewarding career.
- Being a positive role model to colleagues and the wider community.
Criteria
- The nomination package should include evidence to support the nomination and must include:
- A letter of recommendation up to 500 words.
- Between 1 and 3 samples of the nominee’s work which could include planning or training documentation, marketing materials, program summaries, etc.
- Up to three photographs, news clippings, etc. if available.
- All OLA Awards follow the OLA Awards Procedure
Selection Process
- The selection committee consists of members from the Child and Youth Services Committee.
Award Presentation Information
- This award is presented at the annual Child and Youth EXPO Event
2026
2025 Danielle Big Canoe Snake, Rama First Nation Public Library
2024 Susan Hoffman, Newmarket Public Library
2023 Brooke Windsor, Stratford Public Library
2022 Not Awarded
2021 Not Awarded
2020 Douglas Davey, Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library
2019 Alison Yntema, Oshawa Public Libraries
2018 Kelley England, King Township Public Library
2017 Julie Brandl, London Public Library
2016 Carolyn Swayze, Arnprior Public Library
2015 Nadia Danyluk, Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library
2014 Jody Seeley, Meaford Public Library
2013 Jane Salmon, Barrie Public Library
2012 Not awarded
2011 Jane LIndsay. Hamilton Public Library
2010 Janis Marshall, Milton Public Library
2009 Linda Ludke, London Public Library
2008 Zeta Phillipo, County of Brant Public Library
2007 Jane Venus, Ottawa Public Library
2006 Todd Kyle, Mississauga Library System
2005 Delilah Deane Cummings, London Public Library
2004 Heather Robinson, St. Thomas Public Library
2003 Sharon Wilson, King Township Public Library
2002 Maureen Sawa, Kitchener Public Library
2001 Angela Meady, Thunder Bay Public Library
2000 Aileen Wortley, Mississauga Library System
1999 Not awarded
1998 Cindy Cooper, Halton Hills Public Library
1997 Helen Benoit, Hamilton Public Library
1996 Mary Beaty, Kingston Public Library
1995 Adele Fasick, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto
1994 Frieda Ling, Children’s Co-ordinator, Toronto Public Library
1993 Daria Sharanewych, Oakville Public Library
1992 Rita Cox, Parkdale Branch, Toronto Public Library
