By Melissa N. Thompson
Edited to add: The due date for nominations have been extended. Please see below for details.
Library workers involved with circulation, reserves, stacks maintenance, and more services offered by Access Services departments will be excited to see that the Access Services Conference will be held as a hybrid event this year in downtown Atlanta. The event, to be hosted at the Loudermilk Conference Center from November 17 to 18, is currently open for registration.
In-person attendees can look forward to two full days of programming with breakfast, lunch, and breaks included. Virtual attendees will also have access to all sessions and have the opportunity to interact with program speakers and other attendees.
Additionally, the conference’s Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the following:
Distinguished Achievement in Access Services Award, sponsored by Atlas Systems, Inc.
This award recognizes an individual for outstanding achievement, contributions, and commitment to the field of Access Services. The recipient will receive an award of $500, a citation, and registration to the 2021 Access Services Conference.
Who’s Eligible to Apply?
To qualify, the candidate must be employed in a library and serve in one of the fields of Access Services (circulation, reserves, collection maintenance, interlibrary loan/resource sharing, or other related areas). The award is open to all levels of staff, including but not limited to librarians.
What’s Being Considered?
1. Demonstration of sustained, outstanding, and recognized service or leadership in the field of Access Services on the regional or national level.
2. Planning and implementing an exceptional library program or service, which has served as a model for others.
3. Significant publication(s), presentation(s) or technical innovation considered noteworthy for its contribution to Access Services.
How Can I Nominate a Colleague?
Write a letter that includes:
1. Nominee’s full name, work address, telephone number, and email address.
2. Background on the nominee’s career in libraries.
3. Description of the contributions to Access Services and special accomplishments achieved by
the nominee, which demonstrate the three evaluation criteria detailed above.
Self-nominations are accepted. These must also include a supporting letter from a colleague.
Deadline: September 24, 2021
Access Services Conference Support Staff Travel Grant, sponsored by the Access Services Conference.
This grant recognizes two support staff members for outstanding work and commitment in the field of Access Services. The recipients will receive a citation, $1000 travel grant, and registration to the 2021 Access Services Conference.
Who’s Eligible to Apply?
The candidate must be employed as library support staff serving in one of the fields of Access Services (circulation, reserves, collection maintenance, interlibrary loan/resource sharing, or other related areas). Suitability for the award will be considered based on the demonstration of outstanding work and commitment in the field of Access Services.
How Can I Nominate a Colleague?
To be considered for this award, please submit two letters: one from the dean, director, or supervisor of the staff member addressing the criteria detailed above; and one from the nominee, briefly describing how they might benefit from attending the conference.
Letters of nomination should include:
1. Nominee’s full name, work address, telephone number, and email address
2. Background on the nominee’s career in libraries
3. Description of the nominee’s achievements in the field of Access Services
Deadline: September 24, 2021
Nomination letters and questions can be submitted to Sarah Mangrum, Distinguished Achievement in Access Services Award Chair at [email protected].
Melissa N. Thompson is a graduate student of the Valdosta State University MLIS program and a library assistant at Augusta University’s Reese Library. When her nose isn’t stuck in a book, you can find her reading comics & graphic novels, blending more iced coffee than is normal for one human being, and joining far more committees than is feasible for her schedule.
