Awards Applications

All awards are based on self-nomination or peer nomination. Nominations will be reviewed by the Awards and Scholarships Committee and recommendations will be presented to the NSLA Board for approval. There is no requirement that awards be granted every year.

Application instructions are provided on the application form. You will be required to make a copy of the Google Doc to complete your application. All applications are due on March 15.

Award Applications

Nebraska School Librarian of the Year

​This award is based upon an individual’s demonstrated creativity and innovation in the profession through instructional opportunities and programming. Nominees for the Nebraska School Librarian of the Year must be current NSLA members. The recipient is given a plaque at Nebraska School Librarians Day and a year of membership to the NSLA.

NSLA Distinguished Service Award

This award is based upon longevity, service to the profession and contributions to the profession. Nominees must have served in the profession for a minimum of twenty years.

Nominees for the NSLA Distinguished Service Award may be library media personnel, media administrators, school administrators, commercial media professionals, etc. The recipient is given a plaque and life membership in NSLA.

NSLA Meritorious Service Award

The NSLA Meritorious Service Award is an award granted at the discretion of the NSLA Board. This award is based upon service and contributions to the school library media profession. Nominations are not restricted to NSLA members, but will be individuals or groups who have made significant contributions in support of the school library media profession. Recommendations for award recipients may come directly from the Board or from the NSLA membership.

NSLA Distinguished Administrator Award

​The Distinguished School Administrator Award honors a school administrator who has made worthy contributions to the operations of an exemplary school library and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.

The purpose of the NSLA Distinguished School Administrator Award is:

• To honor those administrators outside the library profession who through individual leadership and sustained effort have made worthy contributions to the operations of effective school library services and to advancing the role of the school library services in the educational program.

• To recognize the responsible and influential role of those administrators outside the school library department in developing successful school library programs.

Eligibility Criteria

State, county or district school superintendents and building principals, currently in administrative office, directly responsible for a school or group of schools at any level, who is not working in a library services department. District administrators responsible for broad instructional leadership such as assistant superintendents, directors of curriculum and instruction and directors of elementary and/or secondary education are also eligible provided they are not working in a library services department.