PLA Awards and Grants
PLA’s awards programs has been designed to honor those providing public library service whose vision and accomplishments are extraordinary and deserve recognition. PLA currently offers seven service awards and three grant opportunities.
Interested in sponsoring a PLA award? Please contact us at pla@ala.org.
To apply for an award, visit PLA's Awards Online Application.
Service awards
Advancement of Literacy Award honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware and/or software dealer, foundation or similar group (i.e., not an individual) that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy. A plaque is awarded annually at the ALA Annual Conference. Established in 1984. Sponsored by Library Journal.
Allie Beth Martin Award honors a librarian who, in a public library setting, has demonstrated extraordinary range and depth of knowledge about books or other library materials and has distinguished ability to share that knowledge. A plaque and a $3,000 honorarium are presented annually at the ALA Annual Conference. Established in 1977 in honor of Allie Beth Martin. Sponsored by Baker & Taylor.
Charlie Robinson Award honors a public library director who, over a period of seven (7) years, has been a risk taker, an innovator and/or a change agent in a public library. The recipient should have been active in national and other professional associations and be known for developing and implementing programs which are responsive to the needs of community residents. The award consists of $1,000 and a gift. The public library director will be honored at the ALA Annual Conference. Established in 1997. Sponsored by the Baker & Taylor Company.
EBSCO Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Award honors a public library serving a population of 10,000 or less that demonstrates excellence of service to its community as exemplified by an overall service program or a special program of significant accomplishment. A plaque and a $1,000 honorarium are presented annually at the ALA Annual Conference. Established in 1991. Sponsored by EBSCO Information Services.
Gordon M. Conable Award honors a public library staff member, a library trustee, or a public library, that has demonstrated a commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights. The award consists of $1,500 and a plaque to be presented annually at the ALA Annual Conference. Sponsored by LSSI.
Highsmith Library Innovation Award recognizes a public library’s innovative and creative service program to the community. (As part of the evaluation process with the vendor, after three years the emphasis may change to reflect new trends and needs.) A plaque and a $2,000 honorarium are presented annually at the ALA Annual Conference. Established in 1996. Sponsored by Highsmith Inc.
Polaris Innovation in Technology John Iliff Award honors the life and accomplishments of John Iliff, early adopter and champion of technology in public libraries, and recognizes the contributions of a library worker, librarian, or library that has used technology and innovative thinking as a tool to improve services to public library users. The award provides a $1,000 honorarium, a plaque and a bouquet of roses for the workplace. Sponsored by Polaris.
Grants and scholarships
Baker & Taylor Entertainment Audio Music / Video Product Award is designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand a collection of either or both formats in whatever proportion the library chooses. The grant consists of $2,500 of Audio Music or Video Products. Sponsored by Baker & Taylor.
DEMCO New Leaders Travel Grant is designed to enhance the professional development and improve the expertise of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities. Plaques and travel grants of up to $1,500 per applicant are presented annually at the ALA Annual Conference. Established in 1993. The name of this grant was changed in October 2004. This grant is sponsored by DEMCO, Inc.