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American Library Association and the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates National Advocacy Honor Roll Banquet
General Information

The American Library Association and the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates held the First National Advocacy Honor Roll Banquet June 2000, in Chicago, and the Second National Advocacy Honor Roll Banquet, also in Chicago, in June 2005, during the American Library Association's Annual Conference.  The purpose of the first banquet was to honor advocates from 20th century, and states were invited to submit up to ten advocates.  The names of those honorees are now engraved on plaques hanging in each state library.   For the 2005 Honor Roll, each state was invited to select up to three additional advocates to be honored at the banquet, particularly those who have been active throughout the past five years. 

 

The purpose of the National Advocacy Honor Roll is to identify and celebrate those individuals and groups who have actively supported and strengthened library services at the local, state or national levels.  The honorees are advocates who have led major initiatives or sustained efforts to enhance library development and/or public awareness.  Their accomplishments are noteworthy and provide models for others who wish to expand advocacy efforts.  Although librarians were eligible for the Honor Roll, states are encouraged to include advocates outside the profession as well.  Both individuals and groups were eligible.

 

Using the same process in 2000 and 2005, the National Advocacy Honor Roll Committee asked that the director of the state library and the presidents of the states’ library organizations work together to select the honorees.   It is expected that the award recipients, supported by their own or local resources, would attend the recognition banquet.  Advocacy is the 2005 theme of both ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano and ALTA President Marguerite Ritchey.  This is an excellent opportunity at the state and local level to call attention to library advocacy and to recognize those who have worked hard to strengthen libraries.    

 

 

Advocates come from many walks of life and contribute in very different ways.   Listed below are some examples of work that the honorees have accomplished. 

 

 

► Who is eligible?    Consider nominees from the following "communities"

 

·         THE LIBRARY COMMUNITY: trustees, friends groups, library associations, state library agencies, librarians and staff from all types of libraries, library schools

 

·         THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY: businesses, corporations, media, associations, not-for-profit organizations, research centers

 

·         THE POLITICAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMUNITY: elected officials, citizen groups, library coalitions, educators

 

·         THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY: foundations, private donors, trusts

 

► What types of advocacy efforts should be considered?   Some examples:

 

·         Led efforts to pass legislation to facilitate development of all types of libraries

 

·         Led successful efforts to build and equip libraries

 

·         Led successful initiatives to enhance library programs and services

 

·         Led or sponsored efforts to create greater awareness of and support for libraries

 

·         Provided leadership in training advocates for libraries

 

·         Completed research to aid libraries in serving and communicating with their constituents

 

·         Established coalitions to advocate for library issues

 

* * Other types of library advocacy are eligible for the Honor Roll. Those listed above are illustrative only.