Purpose:
To recognize a significant contribution to the defense and awareness of intellectual freedom or to promote and support legislative efforts that advance the cause of Kentucky public libraries.
Criteria:
● The nominee must be a library supporter, but does not necessarily need to be a member of the Kentucky Public Library Association (KPLA)
● Nominee must have made substantial contributions in areas such as (but not limited to):
○ Active promotion of intellectual freedom in their sphere of influence and beyond
○ Exemplifying the spirit of intellectual freedom
○ Producing a visible effect of their efforts to promote intellectual freedom and challenge censorship
○ An exemplary program, event, display, or activity that promotes or
increases awareness of intellectual freedom issues in libraries
○ Advocacy of libraries and/or information access in the legislative process
○ Successfully advance the cause of public libraries on a local, regional, or statewide basis
● If nominated due to a specific incident or legislative action, give the date and attach any supporting documentation, such as newspaper clippings, etc.
● The nomination should include how the nominee works to support libraries and library awareness.
Rules:
● Nominations may be made by anyone in the library field (staff, trustees, Friends)
● Nominations should be concise, responding to the criteria above. Submit no more than two pages of narrative, with no more that three pages of supportive material (newspaper clippings, photos, etc.)
● The information and the quality of the application shall be the sole basis of selection. Any application not meeting the criteria above will be disqualified.
● The KPLA Awards Committee will make the selection based on the above criteria.
● 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.