The Librarian of the Year serves as a role model, enhancing the image of librarianship and advancing the positive visibility of libraries to the community. The Librarian of the Year is willing to serve as an enthusiastic spokesperson for librarianship in general and to speak at the NJLA conferences.
Successful candidate must:
- Hold an MLS degree or be a certified school/media specialist
- Be a current NJLA member
- Have made a significant contribution by:
- Demonstrating the value of libraries
- Actively participating in NJLA and other New Jersey library organizations
- Enhancing the image of librarians and/or libraries
- Promoting an accessible and positive climate in the library
- Advancing community relations
- Initiating a new library service or program
- Publishing a book or article of national importance that advances the prominence of librarianship
- Enjoy public speaking and be willing to make appearances on behalf of NJLA
Use the online submission form to upload a one-page statement in support of your nomination. https://forms.gle/D8GpoztkvLeCZY9CA
- The candidate will be selected on the basis of outstanding achievement in the majority of the above-listed criteria.
- Self-nominations and nominations by colleagues are invited.
- The Honors & Awards Committee Chair will select a group of three to five of the most recent previous Librarians of the Year who are current and active members of NJLA to form the Selection Committee. This Committee will make the final decision from nominations presented. The award will be bestowed at the annual NJLA Conference. The winner will be notified ahead of time. The recipient’s name is kept confidential until the announcement is made at the conference.
2024 Jennie Pu, Hoboken Public Library
2023 Martha Hickson, North Hunterdon Regional High School
2022 Ralph Bingham III, LibraryLinkNJ
2021 Keisha Miller, South Orange Public Library
2020 Doug Baldwin, Piscataway Public Library
2019 Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library
2018 Mi-Sun Lyu, LibraryLinkNJ
2017 Leslie Burger, Library Development Solutions
2016 Tonya Garcia, Long Branch Public Library
2015 Heidi Cramer, Newark Public Library
2014 Cheryl McBride, North Brunswick Public Library
2013 Leslie Kahn, Newark Public Library
2012 James Keehbler, Piscataway Public Library
2011 Irene Goldberg, Monroe Township Public Library
2010 Joseph Da Rold, Plainfield Public Library
2009 Cheryl O’Connor, Infolink
2008 Carol Nersinger, East Brunswick Public Library
2007 Joanne Roukens, HRLC
2006 Bonnie Kunzel, NJ State Library
2005 Kathy Schalk-Greene, Mount Laurel Public Library
2004 Robert Lackie, Rider University
2003 Cindy Czesak, Paterson Public Library
2002 Connie Paul, CJRLC
2001 Claudia Sumler, Camden County
2000 Jeanne Robbana, Vineland Public University
1999 Norma Blake, Burlington County
1998 Carol Kolb Phillips, East Brunswick Public Library
1997 Karen Avenick, Camden County
1996 Karen Hyman, SJRLC
1995 Caren Brown, West Orange Public Library
1994 Elaine McConnell, Ocean County
1993 Lori McConnell, Irvington Public Library