OPLA Lifetime Achievement Award

Criteria and Eligibility
The OPLA Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a library staff member who has given life long service to the profession and has contributed significantly to the growth and innovation of public libraries in Ontario.

The selected candidate must have worked in an Ontario library for all or a substantial portion of their career. Librarians from small, medium and large libraries shall be given equal consideration. There is no minimum educational requirement for qualification for the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award may be given posthumously within one year of the death of a suitable recipient.

The selection of the candidate will be based on significant contributions in at least one of the following criteria:

Commitment to the broader library community.
Implementation of creative and innovative ideas that have been adopted by public libraries throughout the province.
Positive support for the profession, as evidenced by mentoring and participating in the ongoing education of librarians and library staff or participation in professional associations.
Evidence of having earned the respect of the profession, their colleagues and their community and being a person whose advice is sought.

Those currently serving on the OPLA Council are not eligible for this award.
Nominators must be a member in good standing of OLA/OPLA.

Timeline
November 30: Nominations Due
November Council Meeting: Nominations deliberated and decisions made
Early-Mid December: Nominators/Nominees informed of decisions and picture of winner(s) requested
Early-Mid January: Final award presentation details known and provided to Nominators/Nominees

What to Include
The nomination package should include evidence to support the nomination, potentially including but not limited to:

Nominee’s work history and significant positions in libraries.
Evidence of nominee’s contributions to professional library organizations and other community organizations.
Examples of leadership and innovations, as in special projects, new services, community partnerships, etc.
Letters of support from those who have been impacted by the nominee.
Press clippings or other material demonstrating recognition of nominee’s impact.

Please attach your supporting documents in a single, PDF file. If there are questions or concerns about attaching your document, please contact the OLA office at awards@accessola.com.