The Federal Depository Library of the Year award provides special recognition for a library that furthers the goal of the Federal Depository Library Program by ensuring that the American public has free access to its Government's information. Nominated libraries should demonstrate creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs for use of Federal government information or cause a dramatic increase in their community's usage of this valuable resource.

Nominations for Library of the Year typically run from January through late June or early July. The winning library will be notified by the end of July each year. The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) provides travel and lodging to the conference for the depository coordinator and the library director from the winning library.

If you are interested in nominating a library that you think is deserving of this award, please read the nomination guidelines and then fill out the nomination form. Much has been learned from the past recipients and their recognition has provided other libraries with examples of programs worth emulating. Your continued support and interest are encouraged so we can not only publicly recognize a deserving library but bring to light new concepts to incorporate into existing programs.

Nomination Guidelines

When selecting a winner, GPO looks for libraries that demonstrate the following attributes:

1. Outstanding promotion of the public services, including significant promotion of their depository collections and significant promotion of public services in the library and community.
2. Documented knowledge of the Federal government information needs in the library's service area.
3. Knowledgeable depository staff who provide outstanding assistance to patrons that helps them best identify and use the Federal government information that meets their needs;
4. Access to a well-defined collection of Federal depository tangible and electronic resources adequate to meet the needs of the library’s service area.
5. Excellent bibliographic control practices that enhance public access.
6. Substantial cooperative efforts with other depository and non-depository libraries to share knowledge and resources with a larger community.
7. Exceptional care and preservation of the depository collection.

Your nomination should focus on the above attributes. In nominating a library, you are encouraged to discuss innovations, collaborations with other libraries and community organizations, and other accomplishments that greatly enhance access to Federal government information at the nominated library.

You are welcome to reference supporting online information by providing Web addresses. You may also submit copies of testimonials, promotional materials, or other information that documents superior service within the past 12 to 18 months. The U.S. Government Printing Office will retain the nominations and any attachments. Each entry must include the following information:

1. Contact Information

• Name
• Address
• Phone number of nominated library
• Name of person to contact should the library become a finalist
• Contact information for the submitter if different from the library contact

2. Description of How the Library Fits the Award Criteria

• Two to three paragraphs, or a list of bulleted narrative points, that clearly describe how the library’s accomplishments fit each of the seven criteria for the award listed above.
  • Entries that describe both (1) programs and (2) their effects on the community will be especially helpful to the judges in rendering a decision.
  • While supporting materials, such as brochures, testimonials, press clippings, etc. may be included and are helpful, they are less important than the written narrative.

3. Information About the Applicant Library

• Statistical data, if available, including:
  • Population served;
  • Number of staff dedicated to the use of Federal government information;
  • Percentage of the dedicated staff who are professional librarians;
  • Usage of the Federal government information collection by the community.
• Judges do not make selections based on numbers, though they are helpful in giving context to the written submission.

Nomination Form

If you know of a Federal depository library that is innovative, creative, and provides leadership in their mission of ensuring the American public has free access to Government information, then please nominate them for the 2009 Library of the Year Award. Be sure you have read the Nomination Guidelines then use the Nomination form to submit your choice online.

All submissions must be submitted by July 3, 2010.

• Nomination form

Past Recipients

Learn more about the Library of the Year recipients:

• 2009: Oklahoma Department of Libraries
• 2008: Law Library for San Bernadino County
• 2007: Middendorf-Kredell Branch Library
• 2006: Benton Harbor Public Library
• 2005: New Mexico State Library
• 2004: Southern Oregon University's Lenn and Dixie Hannon Library
• 2003: Tulsa City-County Library