MSLA Awards

Celebrates innovative programming.

Description:  Ellen Berne was a trailblazer in the field of digital school librarianship during the late 1980s and early 1990s. She developed an index to the Internet, one of the first Subject Indexes. Her leadership made a positive difference in the use of the Internet, furthered the importance of library teachers, and enabled students to achieve better results when using the Internet. This award celebrates MSLA members who promote student learning through innovative library programming.

Criteria/Eligibility: The nominee must be a Massachusetts school librarian who is state-certified or who has a professional degree as a school librarian. The nominee must have been a member of MSLA for the past 3 years. The project or program must break new ground in the field of school librarianship and make a positive difference in the school/district's library program and/or affect in a positive way school libraries on a state and national level. Areas of innovation may include: teaching and learning, celebrating reading, school/library culture and digital outreach.

Recognizes exemplary school librarians in Massachusetts who have been working in the field for six or more years.

Description:  This award honors an MSLA member who in a career of six or more years has made a significant impact on student learning through an exemplary school library program. Honorees consistently demonstrate exemplary school librarianship and have built programs that enhance student learning and are examples to others. Additionally, the Super Librarian works on the local, regional, or state level to contribute to improve all school libraries through professional development, leadership, advocacy, and services to the professional community. Up to six winners may be selected in any given year.

Criteria/Eligibility:  The nominee must have been a Massachusetts school librarian, held a professional position at the same school, and been a member of the MSLA for a minimum of six years prior to nomination. They must be state certified or hold a professional degree as a school librarian. Previous winners who received this award less than three years ago are not eligible.

The nominee should demonstrate excellence in creating an outstanding school library program that has made significant contributions to their school and/or district. The nomination should include specific information of how the nominee consistently demonstrates exemplary school librarianship in all six of the following categories:

• Inquiry: Engages students in inquiry-based learning experiences.
• Inclusion: Provides an environment that is inviting, safe, flexible, and equitable and consistently provides access to information that represents diverse points of view.
• Collaboration: Provides an environment in which collaboration, innovation, and creative problem solving thrive.
• Curation: Maintains a diverse collection of resources and consistently ensures minimal barriers of access to library resources.
• Exploration: Uses a variety of instructional methods and technology.
• Engagement: Promotes the ethical use of information, respect of copyright, and ethical online behavior.

The nomination should present evidence of activities outside the nominee’s own school in which they contributes to the profession of school librarianship and the improvement of all school libraries outside of their own school or district through any/all of these activities:

• Presenting at conferences.
• Serving on committees/activities in school library organizations at regional and/or state level.
• Contributing to the MSLA Forum and/or other professional publications.
• Mentoring other school librarians.
• Promoting school librarianship.
• Leading within their district.

Honors a member's long standing leadership in school librarianship at the state, regional and/or national level.

Description:  This award honors a member of MSLA who has been a leader in the profession of school librarianship during the course of their 10+ year career. The honoree has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to 21st century learning and the advancement of school libraries through leadership at the state, regional, and/or national level. Up to three awards may be given in a single year, however this award will not be made if a suitable recipient is not nominated.

Criteria/Eligibility: The nominee must hold state certification as a School Librarian or hold a professional degree as a school librarian, have been a member of the MSLA for a minimum of eight years, and have an extensive record of leadership on the MSLA Executive Board and/or task groups, having served at least 6 years.

Honors new school librarians making an impact on student learning.

Description:  This award honors an MSLA member who is a “rising star” and in a career of one to five years has made a significant impact on student learning through a quality school library program. Honorees demonstrate emerging excellence in school librarianship in inquiry, inclusion, collaboration, curation, exploration, and engagement. Up to ten (10) awards may be awarded in any single year.

Criteria/Eligibility:  The nominee must be a Massachusetts school librarian who has completed at least one full school year (September - June) but no more than five years in their present school as a school librarian. The nominee must be state certified or hold a professional degree as a school librarian and must have been a member of the MSLA for a minimum of one year. Previous winners are not eligible. The nomination should specify how the nominee has made positive differences in the school through the school library and should provide details of how the the nominee demonstrates competency for all of the following categories and demonstrates emerging excellence in school librarianship in at least three areas:

• Inquiry: Explores engaging students in inquiry-based learning experiences.
• Inclusion: Explores providing an environment that is inviting, safe, flexible, and equitable and explores providing access to information that represents diverse points of view.
• Collaboration: Explores providing an environment in which collaboration, innovation, and creative problem solving thrive.
• Curation: Strives to provide a diverse collection of resources and explores how to remove barriers that may prohibit access to library resources.
• Exploration: Explores different instructional methods and technology.
• Engagement: Explores opportunities to promote the ethical use of information, respect of copyright, and ethical online behavior.

Recognizes a member of MSLA who has made significant contributions to MSLA by serving on the Executive Board and/or on Task Groups.

Description:  This award honors a MSLA member’s commitment and dedication in service to the MSLA. Up to three (3) awards may be given in any year, however this award will not be made if a suitable recipient is not nominated.

Criteria/Eligibility:  The nominee must have an extensive record of active participation on the MSLA Executive Board and/or task groups. They must be state certified or hold a professional degree as a school librarian and must have been a member of the MSLA for a minimum of five years. They must have served on the MSLA Executive Board and/or task groups for at least five years.

Recognizes excellence​ in a school library’s use of web tools.

Description:  A strong virtual presence is an important tool for teaching, learning, communicating, and promoting advocacy and public relations. This award recognizes an MSLA member’s exemplary use of digital tools such as websites, blogs, podcasts, and social media. Excellence for this award is defined across four categories:

• Content: The digital tool is appropriate for its intended audience and grade level(s), includes current, high quality, and user-friendly information on resources, programming, trends, and library-related information. Where appropriate, the tool may provide information on standards and/or benchmarks, collaborations, and accessibility.
• Purpose: The goals of the school library program are demonstrated throughout the digital tool. It is evident to the user how the digital tool would be used to support the school library program(s).
• Design & Organization: The digital tool is effectively organized, accessible, and easily navigable and searchable for the intended audience. The tool should be attractive, updated, and current.
• Ethical Information Sharing: Digital tools that post subscription database passwords, violate student privacy, or encourage the use of poor information literacy practices will be automatically disqualified. Up to six (6) awards may be given in a single year.

Renewals:  The Awards Committee will automatically review the work of past recipients for three years following their initial award. 

Criteria/Eligibility: 

• MA School Library who is state-certified and/or holds a professional degree as a school librarian.
• Has completed at least one full school year (September-June) in their present school.
• Has been a member of the MSLA for a minimum of one year.

Recognizes administrators promoting school library programs.

Description:  This award honors those administrators who have made significant contributions to the promotion of effective school library programs and services. These contributions may include increased staff, program promotion, community relations, and/or legislation for library programs and services. It recognizes the significant impact of the school administrator in developing successful school library programs within their own schools that influence the community at large.

Criteria & Eligibility:  The nominee must be a town, city, or district superintendent, assistant superintendent, or building principal currently in administrative office and directly responsible for a K-12 school or group of schools at any level. The nomination must include specific evidence indicating that the administrator has a significant impact on the school library program. Additional documentation in the form of articles, newsletters, and other publicity may be submitted.

Recognizes a MA legislator demonstrating belief in the value of school libraries.

Description:  Joan Gallagher was a dedicated professional and a feisty fighter, with a wry sense of humor. As past President and Legislative Chair of MSLA, she demonstrated sincere commitment, dogged determination, and gentle tenacity in raising the status of school libraries across the Commonwealth. She empowered her colleagues with the slogan, "If we all do a little, we can accomplish so much." The MSLA has established this award in remembrance of our friend and colleague, a champion for legislation to ensure that all students have equitable access to school library programs, professional staff and current resources. The Joan Gallagher Legislator Award recognizes the efforts of a legislator in Massachusetts who has, either within that calendar year or in the recent past, publicly demonstrated the value of school libraries by performing legislative duties that have an impact on the profession of school librarianship and education of Massachusetts school children. Nominations are reviewed by the Advocacy Committee, who make recommendations to the MSLA Executive Board who will vote to present this award to a deserving legislator. This award may not be presented if there is not a suitable recipient.

Criteria/Eligibility:  The legislator recipient of this award must be a current legislator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Their nomination should demonstrate their commitment to advancing the role of school library programs and school librarians in the educational process and to introducing and/or supporting legislation that promotes equity and access to current resources and library teachers to students across the Commonwealth.

Honors public figures demonstrating a belief in school libraries.

Description:  The honoree will have advocated for school libraries in ways that have made a significant difference, especially for school libraries in Massachusetts. In any given year, the award may be given to multiple people or to a group. Winners will receive a plaque and be honored at the annual conference or Legislative Day. The recipient(s) will grant photo permissions to MSLA publications and for the MSLA webpage. The Awards Committee will send press releases to state and local newspapers.

Criteria/Eligibility:  Potential recipients may be on the state, regional or local level.

Recognizes outstanding collaboration between a parent/teacher organization and the school library.

Description:  The MSLA recognizes the importance of parent and community organization support for school libraries and honors the exemplary partnerships between parent organizations and school libraries with this award. Collaborative projects and support for school library programming may include such efforts as funding materials and/or special programs for the library; student centered reading initiatives; family literacy projects; public relations and media coverage of library events and services; continuing education stipends and scholarships for library staff members; engaging businesses, nonprofits, colleges, and public libraries in school library activities; and other innovative or creative programming involving the school library. In any given year multiple groups may be recognized, however this award may not be presented if no suitable nomination is received.

Criteria/Eligibility:  Recipients may be any parent/guardian or teacher organization or working group working within a school district, such as PTOs or PGOs or other groups with similar missions.

Awarded to a MA student in a school library certification master's program.

Description:  Audrey Friend, a role model for library teachers entering the profession, is an original founder of our state school library association. Throughout her career, she promoted the role of library teachers and library programs as integral components of the teaching and learning process. She was a strong advocate of school public library cooperation and was inducted into the MLA Hall of Fame in 1998. She served as the MSLMA liaison to MLA and other educational organizations for over 25 years. This award honors Audrey’s dedication and selflessness. The Massachusetts School Library Association recognizes the importance of having certified library personnel in all schools and is aware of the ever-increasing costs of attaining the degree and/or certification necessary to become a library teacher. For this reason, MSLA wishes to demonstrate its commitment to our profession by sponsoring this annual scholarship award.

Award winners will receive $500.00, a one-year MSLA membership, and paid registration for the next MSLA Conference. The Awards Committee may award up to two scholarships per year. The Awards Committee will notify administrators (if currently employed in a school) and send press releases to state and local newspapers.

Criteria/Eligibility:  The applicant must be a Massachusetts resident currently enrolled in a school library certification master's degree program with plans to attend the college or university during the next school year. They should also have a demonstrated need for financial aid.

Supports library programming making a positive impact on a library program and/or school culture.

Description:  Judi Paradis was a key leader in the school library community and the Massachusetts School Library Association. As a champion of social justice, diversity, multiculturalism, and advocacy, her dedication, leadership, creativity, and enthusiasm inspired many school librarians. MSLA has established an action grant in remembrance of our friend and colleague. A grant will be awarded to a librarian/library program for programming purposes which support making a positive impact on a library program and/or school culture. Special consideration will be given to proposals demonstrating topics of social justice, diversity/multiculturalism, and collaboration with teachers. In any given year the MSLA may award multiple Judi Paradis Action Grants, however this grant may not be presented if no suitable nomination is received.

Recipients of the Judi Paradis Action Grant will receive up to $500 for supplies, materials, presenters, etc needed for programming. The Awards Committee will notify administrators and local and state newspapers.

Recipients of the Judi Paradis Action Grant agree to provide an accounting of expenses with receipts for reimbursement; to write an article for the MSLA Forum to be coordinated with Forum editors; and to submit a photograph for use on the MSLA website.

Criteria/Eligibility:  The applicant must be a Massachusetts school librarian who is state-certified or who holds a professional degree as a school librarian. The applicant must be a current member of the MSLA. The project or program must take place during the 2025-2026 School Year. The application should demonstrate to make a positive difference in the school and/or district library program and/or school culture.