Awards

NHSLS Outstanding Library Program Award

The Outstanding Library Program Award is given for an exemplary library media program and services.  Nominations are accepted from superintendents, principals, teachers, library media staff or community members. Library Media Specialists/Librarians may nominate their own program.   

Guidelines:

• The nominated program may be a school library or district-wide library program.  A NHSLS member who is certified in New Hampshire as a Library Media Specialist should be the director of the program.

• The library program must play a strong role in teaching and learning, promote a positive learning environment, and be led by a well-qualified staff with strong administrative support.

• Applicants will be evaluated using a rubric that describes the ideal of an excellent school library program. A nominated library program is not required to meet every standard, but must explain why and how they are working toward the standard or compensating for it.

• The winner will be recognized at the NHSLS conference and the EDies Awards banquet. 

To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form:  2025 NHSLS Outstanding Library Program Award

NHSLS School Librarian of the Year 

The school librarian of the year is recognized for ongoing excellence in school librarianship. Award recipients will be those who are leaders in the school library community, at local, regional, and/or state levels. 

Guidelines:

• Award recipients will have made a significant statewide impact on the library/media profession or on the library/media services provided to our school communities.

• The winners will attend the EDies Awards banquet.  

• Nominees must be a past winner of a NHSLS award.  Please refer to past winners here.

• The winner is selected by the NHSLS Board.

Elsie Domingo Service Award

The Domingo Service Award is presented to a NHSLS member who has served the profession and the organization in an exemplary and unselfish manner.

Guidelines:

• Member of the school library community in New Hampshire

• Award recipients will have made a significant statewide impact on the library/media profession through service to NHSLS members.

• The winner is selected by the NHSLS Board.

Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award is given to a school librarian who has been working in the profession for five years or less and has already made significant contributions to the school library community. Nominations are accepted from superintendents, principals, teachers, library media staff or community members. Self-nominations are also accepted.

Guidelines:

• The applicant is a NHSLS member.

• The nomination will be judged on the accomplishments and ideas the school librarian has demonstrated in developing and supporting the library program and services within the school and the school library community.

• Applicants will be evaluated using a rubric that describes an exemplary new school librarian.

• The winner will be recognized at the NHSLS conference.

To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form:  2025 NHSLS Emerging Leader Award

NHSLS Paraprofessional Award

The Paraprofessional Award is given to recognize the contribution of library support staff who are involved in library operations at all levels.  Their duties may include routine to very specialized expertise in the field.  Nominations are accepted from superintendents, principals, teachers, library media staff or community members, but not from the nominee her/himself. 

Guidelines:

• The nomination will be judged on the role the library media professional has played in developing and supporting a library program and services within the school.

• The winner will be recognized at the NHSLS conference. 

To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form: 2025 NHSLS Paraprofessional Award

Virtual School Library Award

The Virtual School Library Award is given to a school librarian for an engaging and creative virtual school library program presence. An exemplar virtual school library will promote inquiry, inclusiveness, collaboration, curation, exploration, and engagement. Both peer nominations and self-nominations are accepted.

Guidelines:

• The applicant is a NHSLS member.

• Award recipient will be selected through an online vote of a list of finalists during the spring conference.

• The winner will be recognized at the NHSLS conference.

To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form:  2025 NHSLS Virtual School Library Award

Helen Burnham Outstanding School Librarian Student Award

Impact Award

The Impact Award is given to a non-NHSLS member who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of school librarianship in the State of New Hampshire.  The recipient fosters the use and importance of the school library media center and advocates for school librarianship as an essential component for all schools.

Guidelines:

• Award recipients will have made a significant statewide impact on the library/media profession or on the library/media services provided to our school communities.

• The winner is selected by the NHSLS Board.