The Larry Moore Challenge Fund
The purpose of the Larry Moore Fund is to operate the Larry Moore Challenge, a
bi-annual leadership competition to encourage and foster leadership in
innovation in librarianship and libraries in Canada.
The Ontario Library Association has led innovation in Canada by supporting and
investing in some of the country’s most ambitious projects, from the
groundbreaking Ontario Digital Library to the digitization and archival activities of
the original and extraordinary OurOntario.ca repository to the exciting interactive
social space applications of the BiblioCommons.
The Larry Moore Fund wishes to encourage this kind of seminal thinking and to provide a catalyst for the generation of ideas that will keep library and information
centres relevant and useful to everyone who would use them, virtually or in
person.
The winner(s) of the Larry Moore Challenge will receive a cash prize up to $2,500, however this is subject to change. The Fund will also provide support to the winning proposal by:
- Funding initial research and planning using the interest generated by the Larry Moore Fund and other sources as determined.
- Identifying and negotiating possible funding and expertise to foster development and implementation where initial research and planning strongly support the potential shown in the application. The negotiation of funding for development and implementation will be the prerogative of the winning individual in conjunction with the OLA Board of Directors and the OLA administration.
- Monitoring and working with the project as it develops over time, as appropriate.
If the idea grows and takes root, the originator will be expected to provide updates to the OLA membership through workshops (e.g., Super Conference, the Education Institute) and/or through writing (Partnership: the Journal of Library and Information Research and Practice, OpenShelf).
Background
At its Annual General Meeting in 2005, the Ontario Library Association established an endowed Award to honour Larry Moore on his twentieth anniversary as Executive Director of the Ontario Library Association.
“Larry has inspired generations of library leaders with his never-ending enthusiasm, creativity and commitment. He has raised the profile and professional development of librarians and those concerned with libraries through innovative and creative programs, continuing education, publications and conferences.”
In the warm tributes, members talked about Larry’s consistent focus on values, marketing and vision, all topics that were as evident in his work in the 60s as they are in his leadership today. These are the things that have motivated him and continue to drive him. They are at the center of all his decision-making.
The Award was established to recognize Larry’s contribution and leadership to libraries and librarianship in Ontario. Larry established the terms of the Award with the approval of the OLA Board of Directors.
Criteria/Eligibility
Nominees must be a member of OLA or a member of a Partnership association.
Nomination Procedure
The nomination form can be completed at http://awards.accessola.com/the-larry-moore-challenge/ and must include the following information:
- Individual or organization nominee name and contact.
- Title of project or idea.
- Description of project or idea being pursued.
- Expected achievement of project or idea.
- A description of the benefits to the library and information community if the
idea is pursued. - A short statement on why the project is worthy of the award.
- Estimated expenses such as:
o Research.
o Travel (such as for a site visit).
o Technical/Equipment.
o Design.
o Meeting/Administrative.
o Other. - Nominations will be accepted between: January and October.
- The closing date for nominations in any given year is: 1 November.
Selection Process
- Eligible nominations will be assessed according to the criteria as above.
- The OLA Awards Committee will judge and decide successful nominations. This committee includes the President of the association and other board members.
- The OLA Awards Committee will weigh the merits of all entries for their vision, originality and practicality.
- The OLA Awards Committee reserves the right to not issue the award if they determine that the applicants for that year do not meet the criteria.
- Ideas that are considered by the Jury as not fully formed but which the Awards Committee feels have potential may be given further study. Presentations by the short-listed individuals may be required to assist the Awards Committee in determining the winner.
- The timeline for the Larry Moore Challenge jury is as follows: o Mid November: The awards committee meets to review submissions and discuss the shortlist. Presentations from short listed submissions may be requested after this date. o Early December: Winner is chosen and announced.
- The presentation of this competition is at the discretion of the OLA Board and is not necessarily presented on the scheduled bi-annual basis.
Award Presentation Information
- This award may be presented at an OLA event fitting the winner’s OLA Division. If it is not presented at an OLA event, the announcement will be made through a press release on the OLA website, social media, Annual Report, and other means.
- The winner will be notified in advance of the press release and award presentation.
Donations to the Larry Moore Fund
The current goal is to have the Fund reach a minimum of $100,000 in order to generate interest to fully support initiatives. The Larry Moore Challenge is intended to be an extraordinary generator of new ideas and give the Association leadership projects for years to come. Your personal generosity and advice is encouraged. If you have personal contacts with companies that might contribute to the Fund’s goal, we would appreciate hearing about the possibilities.
Donations can be made online at http://bit.ly/OLADonations
Or by cheque made out to:
Ontario Library Association
2 Toronto St 3rd Floor
Toronto ON M5C 2B6
For further information, contact awards@accessola.com.
Past Recipients
2010 Sophie Gorski, Hamilton Public Library
2019 Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library (Super Conference 2019 Dragon’s Den)
2019 Norfolk Public Library (Super Conference 2019 Dragon’s Den)
2019 Regina Public Library (Super Conference 2019 Dragon’s Den)
