Call for Nominations: W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors

July 3, 2023

The Ex Libris Association (ELA) and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliotheques (CFLA-FCAB) invite applications for the W. Kaye Lamb Award.

Open to any library across Canada, whether private, public, governmental, special or postsecondary, the W. Kaye Lamb Award is named for Canada’s first National Librarian. We especially invite libraries serving First Nations’ communities to consider applying for the award.

In co-sponsoring the award, Canada’s two national library associations recognize outstanding library service to seniors with a cash prize of $500.00 cash prize and a commemorative plaque. Awarded biennially when merited, it was last presented in 2021 to West Vancouver Memorial Library.

During the previous W. Kaye Lamb Award intake we learned of the innovative ways Canada’s library community served library users, especially seniors and Elders in the course of responding during a national pandemic. Libraries retooled their services and spaces to comply with COVID19 protocols to keep people safe, informed and connected to their communities. As libraries in all sectors continue to adapt, the W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors seeks to reward and highlight these efforts by sharing our colleagues’ expertise, responsiveness and resilience in the service of seniors.

Submit completed applications or notification of the intention to apply by Monday, October 2, 2023. For further information and to apply, go to: https://cfla-fcab.ca/en/programs/w-kaye-lamb-award/

Regards,

WK Lamb Awards Committee of Ex Libris Association
Christina Wilson (Chair)
Donna Burton
Todd Kyle
Ann Smith (CFLA/FCAB Board Liaison)

W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors

Purpose of the Award

This award recognizes a library that has developed an ongoing service, program or procedure of benefit to seniors and/or a design and organization of buildings or facilities that improve access and encourage use by seniors. The award will be presented biennially (every two years) when merited.

Eligibility

Any Canadian public, government, postsecondary or special library is eligible for this award.

Application Procedure

Please provide:

1. Name of the library.
2. A statement of the service or facility of benefit to the senior population served by the library.
3. Descriptive material such as photographs, promotional or advertising materials used, articles or news items published may be included with the application to indicate the ongoing success of the project.
4. The application might include architectural drawings, details of the equipment used and an outline of the effect on staffing and budget.
5. Name of a contact person, position title and contact details (email, telephone, etc).

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, October 2, 2023. Use the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award Application 2023,” including your library’s name or acronym to: WKLAward@cfla-fcab.ca

Use the above email to request further information about the award or application process, adding “inquiry” to the subject line.

Award Selection and Presentation

A board committee of ExLibris will review the submissions and make a recommendation to the executives of both organizations. Announcement of the award winner will be communicated widely via social media, each sponsor’s website and, where possible, at the winning library’s regional library association.