The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting submissions for the 2021 John Cotton Dana Award (JCD). The John Cotton Dana Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to libraries and honours outstanding library public relations. Eight $10,000 awards will be provided by the H.W. Wilson Foundation in 2021.
The awards are managed by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures (Core), a new division of ALA formed in September 2020 that includes the Association of Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), and Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA). All John Cotton Dana Award judges are associated with the Core division. The 2021 John Cotton Dana Award winners will be announced online in June 2021 by ALA and EBSCO Information Services.
Libraries of all types and sizes are encouraged to submit entries for a 2021 John Cotton Dana Award. Entries should highlight a strategic communications campaign from the past year. Examples of past campaigns have included rebranding efforts, promotion of archives and special collections, awareness campaigns, community partnerships and special events. Entries may be submitted by any library, Friends group, consulting agency or service provider, unless they are represented on the JCD committee.
Entries for the JCD Award are organized around needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Entrants are asked to submit documentation to show the scope and effectiveness of their campaign. Examples of these documents may include initial assessments and research, processes for implementation, goals met, creative output, media releases, media coverage and other metrics that establish results.
Applications for the 2021 John Cotton Dana Award are to be submitted electronically and received by May 3, 2021.
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