MLA Consumer Health Librarian of the Year Award

Eligibility

MLA Consumer Health Librarian of the Year Award, with an application deadline in November, offers numerous awards of $1500 each.

Description

The MLA Consumer Health Librarian of the Year Award recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in consumer health information services, promote innovation and collaboration, and provide examples to follow for other consumer health librarians. Consumer health librarians focus on the continuum of health information services that benefit patients, caregivers, and individuals interested in optimal health and health care for themselves and their families. The Consumer Award Jury will review nominations for eligibility and award points based on achievements, leadership, and service. Nominees must be a consumer health librarian who exemplifies the best in consumer librarianship. They must demonstrate excellent communication and search skills on consumer health-focused information resources for patrons of all ages; act as a role model to peers in consumer health librarianship and works to mentor new librarians to the field; contribute to the knowledge base of consumer health librarianship by sharing best practices with peers through presentations, posters, and publications, or teaching; work collaboratively with other medical librarians, administrative staff, co-workers and community leaders to provide accessible consumer health information services; lead by example and is an innovator within the work environment; and maintain professional credentials and pursues appropriate continuing education opportunities as a lifelong learner. The nominee must be a member of MLA. The nominee must have worked continuously for each of the last 5 years immediately preceding the nomination, and must be working in a health sciences library at the time of the award. The nominee should hold a professional library or information science qualification. It is preferred that nominees be a member of the Consumer and Patient Health Information Caucus for a minimum of two years. The nomination must contain at least the following elements: a precise description of the nominee's achievements, leadership, and service to MLA and Consumer and Patient Health Information Caucus; a current curriculum vitae or resume; any further information which may assist the jury in the evaluation of the nomination and the selection of the recipient; and up to three letters of support. Please visit the award's website or contact the Medical Library Association for more information.