Kentucky Public Library Hall of Fame
Library Hall of Fame Nomination Form
Purpose:
To honor librarians and library staff who have made enduring, significant contributions to public library services in Kentucky.
To recognize and celebrate individuals whose professional achievements, leadership, and service have strengthened public libraries across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Criteria:
● Nominees must have worked for or with a public library in Kentucky. Their contributions must exemplify significant and sustained impact or value to a public library or to libraries regionally or statewide.
● For library professionals, the nominees are expected to have completed or are nearing the completion of their active professional career. Nominations are open to those living or deceased.
● Nominees may be librarians, directors, support staff, trustees, or public library advocates.
● Nominee has made significant contributions in these areas:
○ Leadership – in local libraries, regional, or statewide initiatives.
○ Innovation – introduction of groundbreaking services, programs, or technologies.
○ Advocacy – impact on policy, funding, or legislation that benefits Kentucky libraries.
○ Mentorship & Education – fostering professional growth of others in the field.
○ Legacy – sustained influence on public library development in the state.
Rules:
● Nominations may be made by anyone employed in a library.
● Nominations should be concise and address the above criteria, including no more than two pages of narrative and up to three pages of supportive material (newspaper articles, photos, etc.).
○ The written nomination statement should support three or more of the applicable contributions above.
● Nominations should include a minimum of two letters of support and a maximum of four. Letters should be limited to no more than two pages. One letter must be provided by a library trustee from a Kentucky public library board of trustees or a library director. Other letters may be provided by colleagues, library staff, Friends, or community leaders.
● The information and the quality of the application shall be the sole basis of selection. Any application not meeting the above criteria will be disqualified.
● The KPLA Awards Committee will make the selection based on the above criteria and submit the name of a single individual annually (when nominations are submitted) to the KPLA Executive Committee for final consideration and approval.
● The KPLA Awards Committee may choose to make no award in any given year if the quality of the nominations is not determined to be satisfactory.