Call for Nominations: W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors
October 3, 2025
Every other year, the ExLibris Association, in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques, invites Canadian libraries to be considered for the W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors. The deadline to apply this year has been extended to Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The award is given to the library (band, post-secondary, public or special) that provides innovative and excellent service to seniors and elders. To get a sense of the scope and level of innovation, view the list of previous award recipients on the Ex Libris Association’s website.
Innisfil IdeaLAB & Library received the 2023 award for “Kits and Community”, an innovative program connecting older adults socially both in the library and remotely as they work together on variety of programmed projects and gained proficiency in using new technologies.
W. Kaye Lamb award recipients receive a cash award of $500.00 and a commemorative certificate named after Canada’s first National Librarian, William Kaye Lamb, OC, FRSC.
To apply, visit: https://www.exlibris.ca/awards/application-for-wk-lamb-award
Completed applications or notification of the intention to apply must be submitted by Thursday, November 6, 2025 to: exlibrisaward@gmail.com
Use the subject line “W.Kaye Lamb Award Application 2025” and include your library’s name or acronym when submitting your library’s application along with library contact information.
For more information on William K. Lamb’s contribution to the development of Canadian library services, view his biographies at Wikipedia and Ex Libris biography.
W. Kaye Lamb Award for service to seniors is sponsored by the Ex Libris Association and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations
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 when merited.
Eligibility
Any Canadian public, postsecondary, or special library is eligible for this award.
Application Timelines for 2025
Completed applications must be submitted by November 6, 2025. Use the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award Application 2025” including your library name or acronym to exlibrisaward@gmail.com (select or right click to copy email address).
Application Procedure
Please provide:
- Name of the library and address.
- Library contact person name, position and contact details (email, telephone, fax, etc.).
- A statement of the service or facility of benefit to the senior population served by the library.
- 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.
- The application might include architectural drawings, details of the equipment used, and an outline of the effect on staffing and budget
- If submitting “notification of the intention to appply,” include as much descriptive information as possible by the dedline with the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award intention to submit 2025.”
- Submit completed applications with the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award Application 2025” to exlibrisaward@gmail.com (select or right click to copy email address).
- Use the above email to request further information about the award or application process, adding “inquiry” to the subject line.
Selection Procedure
A committee of Ex Libris members review the submissions and make a recommendation for approval. The winner(s) will also be announced in ELAN (the Ex Libris Association Newsletter), listservs, the ELA and CFLA/FCAB websites, and social media.
Award Notification
A representative from Ex Libris will present a suitably mounted framed certificate and a monetary award of $500.
(Via Ex Libris Association)
Previous recipients:
- 2023: Innisfil ideaLAB & Library
- 2021: West Vancouver Public Library
- 2018: Hamilton Public Library
- 2015: Ajax Public Library
- 2012: Coquitlam Public Library
- 2008: Oshawa Public Library
- 2006: Maple Ridge Public Library (BC)
- 2004: Toronto Public Library
- 2002: Western Counties Regional Libraries (NS) and Calgary Public Library (co-winners)
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