Awards & Recognitions

Nominate a colleague for their dedication, service, innovation, and support of student patrons, school libraries, or school librarianship. You may nominate yourself. Link to the nomination form.

Winners will be announced at both mini-conferences and honored at their respective USLA Mini-Conference in February or April.  

USLA Award Categories

• Teacher Librarian of the Year (Certified):  Honors a licensed educator currently employed as a teacher librarian, media specialist, or equivalent position. Nominees meet state requirements for school library media certification. They can be working in either a public, charter, or private school at a site level.
  
  

• Library Paraprofessional of the Year (Non-Certified, Classified): Honors a paraprofessional currently employed in school libraries as a technician, assistant, media clerk, or similar titles.  Nominees are not certified with the state endorsement of Library Media. They can be working in either a public, charter, or private school at a site level.
  
  

• Administrator of the Year (Principal or District Level Supervisor): Honors an administrator with direct responsibility for a school, charter, or group of schools or charters who has made influential, unique, and sustained contributions to an effective school library program.
  
  

• Legislative or Community Partner of the Year (Elected Official or Community Leader): Honors leaders who have made influential and sustained contributions to education in Utah that positively impact student patrons, school libraries, or school librarians.

We look forward to recognizing those
library heroes among us. 
You know who they are! 

The nomination deadline is January 15, 2025.  

Judging Criteria for Teacher Librarian and Library Paraprofessional of the Year: 

A panel comprised of USLA board members, conference committee members, and awards and recognitions committee members will judge nominees based on the following criteria:

• • • Exemplary service to students and the school community through library services

    • Creativity in programming and promotions

    • Collaboration with teacher colleagues, staff, and administrators

    • Effective integration of library standards and instruction with curricula

    • Demonstrated student engagement

    • Exemplary use of technology tools

    • Outreach to parents, families, and community partners

    • Effective promotion of the school library program

Application Process 

Please complete the nomination form no later than January 15, 2025.
Click here for I Love Libraries' tips for writing nominations!