About the Award
In December 1992, the LIBRAS membership established the Melvin R. George Award. The Award honors Melvin R. George, second president of LIBRAS. He along with the other LIBRAS founding directors, by their example, have made a significant contribution to the development of interlibrary cooperation. The award consists of a certificate of recognition, and a plaque.
This award is given annually to a librarian, or other individual currently or previously affiliated with LIBRAS who has made a significant contribution within LIBRAS to library service with special emphasis on library cooperation. A recipient can only receive the award once.
Criteria
A nomination shall consist of a letter (2 page max) addressing how the nominee meets relevant aspects of the criteria listed below.
- Active involvement in LIBRAS, evidenced by attendance at meetings, participation in committees, or other support for LIBRAS
- Contributions to interlibrary cooperation
- Positive influence on library colleagues, support staff, and the academic community
- Notable leadership, in LIBRAS (primary emphasis) and/or the library community at large (secondary)
- Contributed to the professional development of members of the profession
Nominations are due to the LIBRAS President by February 1st.
Award Process
Anyone within LIBRAS may nominate one candidate per year for this award. Self-nominations will not be accepted. The award will not be given in years when there are no nominees or when the nominee(s) is not selected by the Awards Committee.
The nomination must be submitted to the President of LIBRAS by February 1st. The nominator must address the criteria listed to allow for an informed selection recommendation. The President of LIBRAS will appoint an Award Committee to select the recipient of the Melvin R. George Award. No individual nominated for the award may be on the Award Committee. The President will make public the names of the individuals on the Award Committee. After the Award Committee has made a selection the President of LIBRAS will contact the recipient and administration from his/her affiliated institution. The award winner will be recognized at the LIBRAS Annual Meeting.
Melvin R. George Award Recipients
- 1993 – Bert A. Thompson, Benedictine University, LIBRAS’ 6th President
- 1994 – Henry Latzke, Concordia University
- 1995 – Mel Klatt, Elmhurst College, LIBRAS President 1980-1981, Chair of LIBRAS 20th Commemorative Handbook Committee
- 1996 – Dorothy Ellen Gross, North Park University, LIBRAS President 1983-1985, Chair of Numerous Committees
- 1997 – none awarded
- 1998 – Rayonia “Ray” Babel, Aurora University
- 1999-2001 – none awarded
- 2002 – P. Paul Snezek, Wheaton College, LIBRAS President 1981-1982, Chair of Cooperative Collection Development Committee
- 2003 – Carolyn A. Sheehy, North Central College, LIBRAS President 1993-1994, Secretary 1992-1993, Chair or participant on numerous committees (including Strategic Planning and Bylaws)
- 2004-2005 – none awarded
- 2006 – Theodore Schwitzner, North Central College, 2005-2006 Past-President/Continuing Education Coordinator; 2004-2005 President; 2005 Strategic Planning Committee Chairperson; 2003-2004 Vice President/President-Elect and Program Coordinator; 2002-2003 Web and Technology Special Interest Group Chairperson; 2000-2002 Secretary; 1998-2000 Technical Services Special Interest Group Chairperson
- 2007 – none awarded
- 2008 – Sally Anderson, North Park University, 2007-2008 Past-President/Continuing Education Coordinator; 2006-2007 President
- 2009 – Iva Freeman, Kendall College, LIBRAS President 1999-2000; Past-President/Continuing Education Coordinator 2000-2001
- 2010 – Susan Swords Steffen, Elmhurst College, LIBRAS Treasurer 1998-1999; LIBRAS President 2000-2001; Past-President/Continuing Education Coordinator 2001-2002
- 2011-2019 – none awarded
- 2020 – Patricia Hall Hurley, North Park University, LIBRAS Public Services Special Interest Group Chair 2020
- 2021 – Felice Maciejewski, Dominican University
- 2022 – Matthew Ostercamp, North Park University