OSLA School Library Professional of the Year Award
This award is given to honour a School Library Professional (School Library Technician) who has demonstrated leadership in the facilitation and management of a school library collection.
Criteria/Eligibility
- Nominees must be a member in good standing of OLA/OSLA.
- The nominated candidate has a positive impact on either or both of:
- Students and/or teachers in their use of and attitude towards the School Library Learning Commons.
- School Library Program through the integration of multiple literacies.
- The candidate has embraced the following:
- The nominee is innovative and actively works on improving student engagement.
- A rich learning environment which promotes student engagement.
- Interest in and enthusiasm for the School Library Learning Commons.
Nomination Procedure
- Nominations will be accepted between: September – November.
- The nominator may be an administrator, teacher-librarian or an educational colleague and is not required to be a member of OLA/OSLA.
- The nomination form can be found on the OLA Website on the award information page.
- The nominator must provide include evidence to support the nomination, potentially including but not limited to:
- Endorsement by at least one OSLA member.
- Nominators are responsible for documenting the accomplishments of the candidate and for creating a package of appropriate materials to support the nominee.
- Letters of support from colleagues, teacher-librarians, coordinators, students, and parents are welcome.
- Nominee’s work history and significant positions in libraries.
Selection Process
- The selection committee consists of OSLA Council.
- Eligible applications will be assessed according to the criteria as above and any supporting the documentation.
- OSLA Council will review all of the applications and assess candidates’ eligibility.
- The Council will consider all potential candidates, including those nominated from the membership.
- Nominees who are not selected may be re-nominated in subsequent years with the submission of updated documentation.
- Once the winner has been chosen, the OLA Office and OSLA President 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 OSLA Council and is not necessarily presented on an annual basis.
Award Presentation Information
- This award is presented at the OLA annual Super Conference
- At the presentation, an introductory speech will be delivered outlining the achievements of the award winner.
- The recipient will prepare a short acceptance speech.
- A description of the award winner’s accomplishments is published in the Spring issue of Teaching Librarian and may be promoted through other association publications.
